WO2013106830A1

WO2013106830A1 - Flow regulator for pressurized fluid delivery from a closed container system

Info

Publication number: WO2013106830A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/021442
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Howarth; Thomas James Mcpherson; Fritz Seelhofer
Original assignee: Coca Cola Co
Current assignee: Coca Cola Co
Priority date: 2012-01-12
Filing date: 2013-01-14
Publication date: 2013-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-12

Description

FLOW REGULATOR FOR PRESSURIZED FLUID DELIVERY FROM A CLOSED

CONTAINER SYSTEM

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to and incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/585,821 titled "Flow Regulator For Pressurized Fluid Delivery From A Closed Container System" and filed on January 12, 2012.

The present application is also related to PCT patent application number PCT/EP2011/056522 titled "Push-Button Dispenser For Bottles With Carbonated Beverages" filed on April 26, 2011 and PCT patent application number PCT/EP2011/056525 titled "Push- Button Dispenser With Compressed-Gas Capsule For Beverage Bottles" filed on April 26, 2011, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a dispenser and more particularly relates to a flow regulator for fluid delivery from a closed container.

BACKGROUND

Carbonated beverages may be packaged and commercially sold in large containers, such as a two liter polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle. However, an issue with such containers is that once the bottle is opened, the carbonation in the bottle may deplete. For example, each time the bottle top closure is opened, the carbonated beverage in the bottle generally releases carbon dioxide (C02) to the atmosphere thereby depleting the carbonation in the beverage. Further, after the bottle top is reapplied, some of the carbon dioxide trapped within the beverage may migrate into the empty volume of the bottle between the beverage level and the top of the bottle that is formed by pouring some of the beverage out of the bottle. The empty space may be referred to as headspace of the bottle. Carbon dioxide from the beverage may migrate into the headspace until pressure equilibrium is reached between the beverage and the headspace. This cycle may continue each time the bottle is opened. As the product continues to be consumed, the headspace may increase and thereby the beverage may release a larger amount of carbon dioxide into the headspace to reach equilibrium. As a result, a container comprising the carbonated beverage, such as a carbonated soft drink may lose carbonation, i.e., the carbonated beverage may go flat. Closed container systems may be used to minimize the carbonation depletion that happens due to repeated opening and closing of a bottle top closure. However, in these closed containers the flow rate of the fluid from the container through the dispensing device may be variable due to the changing (e.g., decreasing) container pressure. For example, flow rate is fast when the bottle is first used because the container pressure is high but then the flow rate slows as the container pressure decreases.

Dispensing devices have been developed that allow dispensing a pressurized fluid from a closed container without having to completely open the container and release excess container pressure. Conventional dispensing devices have used pressurized gas to maintain a pressurized atmosphere in the closed containers and force the beverage from such containers. However, the pressure variation in the closed container may depend on the level of fluid remaining in the bottle, for example the carbonation level in the case of carbonated soft drinks. This pressure variation may result in varying flow rates out of a spout and may make the closed container more difficult to use with pressurized gas. In addition, for carbonated beverages, the higher flow rate may also result in an undesirable amount of foaming. Further, the undesirable foaming and/or the flattening of the carbonated beverage may provide an unpleasant experience to a user.

Other concerns with current two liter bottles include difficulty in pouring beverage from the bottle due to its weight and not having a handle.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that controls dispensing from a closed container system. As one example, there is a need for a dispensing system for use with a two liter PET bottle, or similar container, which dispenses beverage on demand through a spout at a constant flow rate throughout its lifetime and over multiple dispensations. There is a desire for a dispenser that regulates the flow rate of the beverage to a constant level across a range of varying bottle pressures and that minimizes foaming of the beverage. In another example, there is a need for a dispensing system for use with any appropriate closed container system, such as a pressurized spray can where varying pressures in the closed container system may result in varying flow rates. SUMMARY

Disclosed is a flow regulator for fluid delivery from a closed container system. In one example embodiment the dispenser can be adapted for use with a two liter PET bottle, which dispenses carbonated beverage, such as a carbonated soft drink on demand and maintains the pressurized dispensation of the beverage over multiple dispensations. The dispenser can be configured to maintain product carbonation and thereby freshness (carbon dioxide content within the beverage) of the beverage in the closed container system. Further, the dispenser can be configured to minimize handling issues, such as repeated opening and closing of the bottle top closure, by using an actuator or a button mechanism and allowing dispensing directly from the bottle without the user having to handle the bottle. Dispensing can be achieved using the carbonation already in the bottle and does not require added pressurized gas to drive the beverage out of the spout. In addition, the dispenser can be configured to achieve a nearly steady flow rate over multiple dispensations.

In another example embodiment, the dispenser as disclosed herein can be adapted for use with a pressurized closed container comprising a non-carbonated fluid without departing from the broader scope of the disclosure. For example, the dispenser as disclosed herein may be used with a pressurized spray can that comprises aerosol. The pressurized closed container may be pressurized with a propellant such as a compressed gas, for example nitrogen, air, oxygen, etc. In another example, the propellant may be liquefied gas. Continuing with the example, a portion of the pressurized spray can may be filled with the aerosol or any other appropriate product, while the other portion of the pressurized spray can may be filled with the propellant at high pressure such that the aerosol and the propellant may fill the pressurized spray can. The propellant may be pressurized at a sufficient level to provide the force to ensure all the content of the pressurized spray can may be dispensed.

In yet another embodiment, the dispenser as disclosed herein can be adapted for use with any appropriate closed container system where the application of the closed container system demands dispensing a product in the closed container system at a nearly constant flow rate, without departing from the broader scope of the disclosure. For example, the dispenser as disclosed herein may be used with a spray paint can, a deodorant bottle, a perfume bottle, and/or dispensing milk from a closed container system. The dispenser as disclosed herein can include a housing adapted to attach to a closed container. The housing can be coupled to an actuator that is adapted to selectively open a fluid outlet in the housing. Further, the dispenser includes a flexible, pressure responsive tube coupled to the actuator. The pressure responsive tube can extend into the closed container and provide a passage for fluid from inside the closed container. In addition, the pressure responsive tube can be adapted to respond to pressure variations inside the bottle such that the pressure responsive tube aids dispensing of fluid from the closed container system to outside the container at a nearly steady flow rate.

In an example embodiment, when a closed container comprising pressurized fluid has never been opened the pressure inside the closed container may be at its highest. As fluid is dispensed from the closed container through the pressure responsive tube, there may be a pressure drop in the closed container. In other words, when fluid is dispensed from the closed container, there may be a drop in headspace pressure in the container compared to a headspace pressure of the container before the container was opened. For example, if the pressure inside a two liter soft drink bottle when the bottle is nearly full i.e., before bottle is opened, is 5 bars, once the soft drink in the bottle is dispensed and the level of soft drink in the bottle reduces to half its initial volume, the pressure inside the bottle may drop from 5 bars to approximately 3 bars. In addition to the pressure drop in the closed container, when a dispensing tube is used to dispense fluid from the closed container, the dispensing tube may experience a pressure drop inside the dispensing tube when the fluid is dispensed through the dispensing tube. For example, when the dispenser is not dispensing any fluid i.e., when the fluid outlet in the dispenser head remains closed, both the pressure inside the dispensing tube and a headspace pressure of the bottle remains the same, which may be 5 bars. Continuing with the example, when the fluid outlet is opened, the dispensing tube is exposed to an atmosphere outside the bottle and the 5 bar pressure inside the dispensing tube may gradually drop to an ambient pressure that exists outside the bottle.

The flexible, pressure responsive tube has a cross-sectional geometry which can respond to the pressure drop inside the closed container and a dispensing tube pressure drop. The geometry of the tube can change when subjected to pressure, where the cross-sectional area may become larger when pressure acting on the dispensing tube changes from a higher pressure to a lower pressure. Similarly, the cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube may become smaller, when the pressure acting on the dispensing tube changes from a lower pressure to a higher pressure. An increase in the cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube can reduce fluid resistance in the tube. Further, the increase in the cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube can minimize an effect of the pressure drop and can maintain a steady flow rate of the fluid i.e., the effect of the pressure drop may be countered by changing a resistance to the flow of the fluid. As the pressure in the container decreases over time and use, a longer length of the tube increases to a larger cross- sectional area and the change in tube pressure drop is designed to cancel out the decrease in container pressure. In other words, as the pressure decreases in the container, the length of the tube having a larger cross-sectional area when the dispenser is opened can increase. The tube is thus designed to provide an approximately constant fluid flow rate as pressure changes in the container.

In one embodiment, a long flow path of the tube can minimize turbulence and pressure changes in the flow path. In addition, the use of a single part (the pressure-responsive tube) for flow regulation can reduce the cost of adding a flow control feature to the closed container system.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosure comprises a method of operating a dispenser comprising an actuator and a dispensing tube in a closed dispensing container. Before the dispenser is opened the dispensing tube comprises a first diameter within the fluid within the container and the fluid within the container is at a first pressure. The method includes opening the dispenser with the actuator to dispense a first amount of fluid. When the dispenser is opened to the ambient atmosphere, there is a pressure drop within the dispensing tube. The pressure drop in the dispensing tube near the dispenser at the top of the container causes the dispensing tube to constrict to a second diameter along a length of the dispensing tube, thus regulating the flow of fluid from the closed container. When the dispenser is closed, the pressure within the closed container will be a second pressure that is less than the first pressure because of the removal of the first amount of fluid that has been dispensed. When the dispenser is opened a second time to the ambient atmosphere to dispense a second amount of fluid, there is again a pressure drop within the dispensing tube. The pressure drop within the dispensing tube will cause the dispensing tube to constrict to a third diameter along a length of the dispensing tube, again regulating the flow of fluid from the closed container. The dispensing tube can be designed such that the third diameter is larger than the second diameter such that the larger third diameter counteracts the fact that the second pressure within the container is less than the first pressure within the container.

These and other example embodiments will be described in greater detail in the text and drawings that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and IB illustrate cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 3A and 3B illustrate cross-sectional views of yet another embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates the flow regulator apparatus for fluid delivery from a closed container system, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 6A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 6B, 6C, and 6D illustrate cross-sectional views at points A-A, B-B, and C-C of the tube shown in Figure 6A, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates a graph of bottle pressure vs. flow through the pressure responsive dispensing tube in the embodiment of Figure 6A, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 8 illustrates a graph of cross-sectional area in the dispensing tube versus headspace pressure for a theoretical pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 9 illustrates a graph of flow control versus pressure performance characteristics for a theoretical pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the above drawings. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, certain dimensions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, reference numerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements throughout the several views. Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the Detailed Description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed are a system, a method and an apparatus for a flow regulator for fluid delivery from a closed container system. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments discussed herein need not necessarily belong to the same group of exemplary embodiments, and may be grouped into various other embodiments not explicitly disclosed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments.

The term 'fluid' as used herein can include, but not limited to, a carbonated soft drink, other appropriate beverages, and liquid and gaseous fluids which are held under pressure and dispensed from a container. Other fluids can include, but are not limited to, other beverages, cleaning products, personal care products, air fresheners, insecticides, paints and coatings, and pharmaceutical formulations.

The term 'container,' as used herein can include, but not limited to, a 2 liter PET bottle, other appropriate types of bottles and packaging that hold a fluid under pressure and from which the fluid is dispensed. Other containers can include, but are not limited to, other size PET bottles, bottles made from different materials, aerosol containers, beer kegs, paint pods, compressed gas cylinders, and fire extinguishers.

The term 'container pressure drop,' as used herein may generally refer to a decrease in headspace pressure in a closed container system. In other words, the container pressure drop may generally refer to a decrease in pressure in the closed container resulting from the decrease of a dispensing content, such a fluid in the closed container system.

The term 'dispensing tube pressure drop,' as used herein may generally refer to a decrease in pressure inside the pressure responsive dispensing tube. The pressure inside the pressure responsive dispensing tube can decrease when the pressure responsive dispensing tube is exposed to an outside atmosphere while dispensing fluid from the closed container system.

Technology for a flow regulator for fluid delivery from a closed container system will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figures 1-9, which describe representative embodiments of the present invention. Figures 1-5 describe a dispenser system, as an exemplary embodiment of an operational environment of the flow regulator for fluid delivery from a closed container system. Figures 6-9 describe the different operational embodiments of flow regulator using suitable illustrations.

The flow regulator includes a flexible tube that can have a defined cross-section profile which responds to the container pressure drop (difference between the closed container pressure and the outside pressure) and the dispensing tube pressure drop. The geometry of the tube changes as the closed container pressure changes, with the total cross-sectional area of the tube becoming larger as the container pressure decreases. In other words, as pressure in the closed container changes and/or the pressure inside the dispensing tube changes, the cross-section profile of the tube changes accordingly. The increase of tube cross-sectional area reduces the pressure drop and provides a substantially constant flow rate. As the pressure in the container decreases over time and dispensation, a longer length of the tube expands to the larger cross-sectional area such that a corresponding change in tube pressure drop is designed to substantially cancel out the decrease in container pressure.

The flow regulator can further include a housing adapted to be attached to the opening of the container and an actuator adapted to be coupled to housing, wherein the adapter is configured to control dispensation of the fluid from the container, through the tube and through the housing.

The present invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those having ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, all "examples" or "exemplary embodiments" given herein are intended to be non-limiting and among others supported by representations of the present invention.

Moving now to discuss the figures further, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. First, Figures 1-4 will be discussed in the context of describing representative embodiments of the pressure responsive dispensing tube of the dispenser according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 will be discussed in the context of describing representative operating environment associated with flow regulator for fluid delivery from a closed container system, making exemplary reference back to Figures 1-4 as may be appropriate or helpful. Further, Figures 6-9 will be discussed in the context of describing additional embodiments of the pressure responsive dispensing tube and its characteristics, making exemplary reference back to Figures 1-5 as may be appropriate or helpful.

Referring now to Figure 5, Figure 5 illustrates the flow regulator apparatus for fluid delivery from a closed container system, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In particular, Figure 5 illustrates a dispensing apparatus 50, a bottle 52, a dispenser head 54, a housing 56, an actuator 58, a spout 60, a pressure responsive dispensing tube 66, a rubber valve 70, a connecting rod 72, a button 74, and a spring 76.

The dispensing apparatus 50 includes a dispensing head 54. Further, the dispensing head 54 can include a housing 56 that can be adapted to attach the dispensing apparatus 50 to the bottle 52 (e.g., closed container) via threads or any other appropriate attachment method, such as a friction fitting or integral molding. Further, the dispensing head 54 can include an actuator 58 that can be adapted to control dispensing of the fluid from the bottle 52 through the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66. The actuator 58 can be attached to the housing 56 and can selectively open a fluid outlet within the housing, allowing fluid from in the bottle to be dispensed.

Further, Figure 5 depicts the actuator 58 coupled to the dispensing head 54, wherein the actuator 54 can include a conical shaped rubber valve 70 with a connecting rod 72 and button 74 on the top of the housing 56. In an example embodiment, the button 74 can be a push button. One of ordinary skill in the art can understand and appreciate that the push button can be replaced by any other functionally equivalent button mechanism. As described earlier, the button 74 can be coupled to the valve 70 that is configured to move axially relative to the bottle 72. The valve 70 can be acted upon by the pressure of spring 76 in the closing direction i.e., the spring 76 can compress the button 74 upwards and thus also hold the valve 70 pushed upwards in a closing position, such that after button 72 is released, it returns to its closing position and valve 70 is drawn towards the housing such that the contents of the bottle are prevented from flowing out.

In addition, the button 74 can be acted upon for opening manually by pressing the button 74 in an opening direction, so that a pressure drop can be created in the dispensing tube 66. The dispensing tube pressure drop can aid in expelling liquid from the bottle via the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 by the inner pressure prevailing in the bottle. In other words, when the button 74 is depressed against a spring 76, the conical valve 70 moves downwards into a wider part of the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 and fluid can flow past the valve 70 and be dispensed. The actuator 58 may be closed with the spring 76 when the button 74 is released, wherein the spring may be metal or plastic in construction. The valve 70 may be made of a resilient material such as rubber and shaped in a streamlined conical form. The top of the valve body can seal against the housing 56.

In an example embodiment, the flexible, pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 may have an open end that extends to the bottom of the closed container and another end that is coupled to the dispenser head 54 under the valve 70. The pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 can be assembled to the base of the housing 56 via threads or some other attachment method such as a friction fitting or integral molding.

As shown in Figure 5, in an example embodiment, the dispensing apparatus 50 can be used on a 2 liter plastic bottle 52. The dispensing apparatus 50 can include the dispenser head 54 coupled to the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66. Further, as described above, the dispenser head 54 can include a housing 56, actuator 58, and spout 60. The housing 56 can include a screw- on coupling, by which the dispenser head 54 can be screwed onto the bottle 52. The screw-on coupling can have an appropriate threading, preferably a threading for the widened 28-mm neck of PET bottles. It is understandable that other sizes of threading are also possible. The housing 56 can attach to an external threaded region at the neck of the 2 liter bottle 52 with an internal threaded region 62. One of ordinary skill in the art can understand and appreciate that the dispenser head 54 can also be attached to the bottle during manufacturing by other appropriate method such as integral molding or friction fitting.

Flow regulation by the pressure responsive dispensing tube

In an example embodiment, initially a new and unopened bottle (e.g., 2 liter PET bottle) 52 may be substantially filled with carbonated beverage. The headspace pressure inside the new and unopened bottle 52 that is substantially filled with carbonated beverage may be X bar. This pressure inside the bottle i.e., X bar may be higher than an ambient pressure outside the bottle, which may be Y bar. Further, the bottle 52 may be coupled to a dispensing head 54 that comprises a pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 that extends into the bottle 52. The pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 can have a cross-sectional profile that defines an opening inside the tube 66 for the fluid to flow out of the bottle 52. In addition, the dispensing head 54 may have a fluid outlet to dispense the carbonated beverage from the bottle 52. The fluid outlet may be opened and closed by an actuator system 58 that comprises a button 74 that is coupled to a conical valve 70 via a connecting rod 72.

Initially, when the push button 74 is not pressed and the fluid outlet remains closed, the headspace pressure inside the bottle and the pressure inside the dispensing tube may be the same i.e., X bar. Once the button 74 is pressed against the spring 76, the conical valve 70 coupled to the button 74 may move axially downwards into a wider part of the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 and open the fluid outlet. Upon opening the fluid outlet, the opening inside the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 may be exposed to the ambient pressure outside the bottle 52, which is Y bar. When, the opening is exposed to the ambient pressure, the dispensing tube 66 may be subjected to a dispensing tube pressure drop where the pressure X bar inside the dispensing tube 66 gradually reduces to the lower ambient pressure Y bar. The pressure inside the dispensing tube 66 may reduce gradually along the length of the tube creating a pressure gradient. As the pressure inside the dispensing tube 66 decreases below X bar, the headspace pressure X bar inside the bottle 52 acts on the dispensing tube 66. The pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 may be configured to reduce a cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube 66 when subjected to a headspace pressure that is higher than the pressure inside the dispensing tube 66. The cross- sectional area of the dispensing tube 66 may reduce respective to both the pressure inside the dispensing tube and the headspace pressure inside the bottle that acts on the dispensing tube 66.

Since there is a pressure gradient along the length of the dispensing tube, the reduction in cross sectional area along the length of the tube may not be uniform. For example, at a given time , the pressure inside the dispensing tube 66 at a top portion of the dispensing tube 66 that is closer to the dispenser head 54 may be lower than the pressure inside the dispensing tube 66 at a middle portion of the dispensing tube 66. Accordingly, the cross-section area of the dispensing tube 66 at the middle portion of the dispensing tube 66 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube 66 at the top portion of the dispensing tube 66 when X bar of headspace pressure is uniformly acting along the length of the dispensing tube 66. Reducing the cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube 66 can increase a resistance to the flow of the fluid through the dispensing tube 66. Thus, the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 changes cross-sectional area to counter an effect of the dispensing tube pressure drop.

Further, when the push button 74 is released, the valve 70 pushes axially towards the housing thereby closing the fluid outlet. When the fluid outlet is closed the pressure inside the dispensing tube 66 and the headspace pressure inside the bottle may reach equilibrium and the cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube 66 may return back to a cross-sectional area that the dispensing tube 66 maintained prior to opening the fluid outlet.

Once the carbonated beverage has been dispensed, the level of the carbonated beverage in the bottle 52 reduces. Consequently, the bottle 52 may be experience a container pressure drop i.e., the headspace pressure inside the bottle 52 may be drop from X bar to Z bar, wherein Z is lower than X and Z is higher than Y that corresponds to the ambient pressure. The pressure inside the dispensing tube 66 and the headspace pressure may be the same, i.e., Z bar. Further, when the fluid outlet is opened again, the pressure inside the dispensing tube 66 may drop below Z bar and the headspace pressure may act on the dispensing tube 66. Consequently, the cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube 66 may reduce to counter for the dispensing tube pressure drop and the container pressure drop. The reduction in cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube when headspace pressure Z bar acts on the dispensing tube 66 may be smaller than the reduction in cross-sectional area of the dispensing tube when headspace pressure X bar acts on the dispensing tube 66. Any change in the cross sectional area of the dispensing tube 66 may be configured such that the fluid may be dispensed with a nearly constant flow rate.

Although the invention is described below particularly with reference to 2 liter PET soft drink bottles, one of ordinary skill in the art can understand and appreciate that the PET bottle and carbonated beverage as described herein can be replaced by any appropriate closed container that is adapted to be pressurized by an appropriate propellant and any other appropriate types of fluids respectively without departing from the broader spirit of the disclosure. The dispensing tube 66 will be described in greater detail below, in association with Figures 1-4.

Referring now to Figure 1A and IB (collectively Figure 1), Figure 1 illustrates cross- sectional views of an embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The cross-sectional profile 10 of the dispensing tube 66 can be of a variety of shapes, including but not limited to round, oblong, star-shaped, oblong, or rectangular. Further, the opening defined by the cross-sectional profile 10 can have a variety of shapes. Generally described, the dispensing tube has a cross-sectional profile 10 which includes one or more central openings in the smallest profile i.e., when the tube is exposed to the greatest pressure drop. This central opening(s) expands into a larger opening as the pressure drop decreases.

The geometry and materials of the dispenser tube 66 (shown in Figure 5) are chosen to give a characteristic response to a pressure drop across the dispensing tube 66. In an example embodiment, the dispensing tube 66 can be made of a flexible material, preferably an elastomer or flexible plastic, but a variety of other flexible materials could be used such as spring steel and polymers like polypropylene where the flexing could be achieved by local flexible sections. The dispensing tube 66 can also be made from rigid materials in multiple pads with sealed hinges. Further, the length of the tube can vary depending on the container (e.g., bottle 72) with which it is used. For example, for use with a 2 liter PET soft drink bottle, the tube will range from about 250 to 350 mm, more preferably from about 280 to 320 mm. The flow rate can vary according to the application.

As illustrated by Figure 1A, the outer cross-section of the dispenser tube 66 includes two flexible v-shaped sections 12 and two central rigid semicircular sections 14. The interior opening of the tube 10 has two arrow shaped sections 16 defined by the two v-shaped sections 12 and a substantially circular opening 18 formed by the sections 14.

The v-shaped sections 12 are designed to be collapsed when the pressure in the container is over a certain pressure. When the v-shaped sections 12 are completely collapsed, as shown in Figure IB, the fluid openings 16 also collapse. Further at high pressure, the substantially circular opening 18 partially collapses and the two semicircular sections 14 define a circular opening 20 that is smaller and allows less flow through than the combined openings 16 and 18.

In one embodiment, the geometry and flexibility of the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 are designed to allow for a fast rate of area change till the acting pressure is down to a knee-point pressure followed by a slow rate of area change. Further, the flow regulation occurs along a long flow path of the dispensing tube 66 without sudden pressure drops, which can reduce the likelihood of undesirable foaming when carbonated beverages are poured out. Additional embodiments of the dispensing tube 66 that can be used to achieve similar fast then slow rate of area change with pressure will be described in detail below, in association with Figures 2-4

Figures 2A and 2B (collectively Figure 2) illustrate cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In particular, Figure 2 illustrates a star shape cross- sectional profile 20 of the dispensing tube 66, wherein the cross-sectional profile 20 is formed by four v-shaped arms 22, each defining an opening 24 and a central opening 26. As shown in Figure 2B, the arms 22 are collapsed under pressure, reducing the opening through the tube to the central opening 26.

Figures 3A and 3B (collectively Figure 3) illustrate cross-sectional views of yet another embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In particular, Figure 3 illustrates an oblong shaped cross- sectional profile 30 of the dispensing tube 66. The embodiment 30 is substantially oblong in shape, with circular ends 32 and connecting walls 34. Circular ends 32 each define a circular fluid opening 36 and connecting walls 34 define a central opening 38. In one embodiment, pressure on the dispensing tube 66 reduces the dispensing tube walls such that under pressure the cross- sectional profile 30 reduces to the end circular openings 36.

Figures 4A and 4B (collectively Figure 4) illustrate cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4A illustrates an cross-sectional profile 40 of the dispensing tube 66 having a wall 42 defining a rectangular outer cross-section and an oblong central opening 44. Under pressure, the wall 42 is collapsed and the opening 44 is reduced to two tear dropped shaped openings 46 as depicted in Figure 4B. An example embodiment of the pressure responsive dispensing tube 66 may be further described below, in association with Figure 6.

The examples below serve to further illustrate the dispensing tube 66, to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how the compounds, compositions, articles, devices, and/or methods claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the examples, unless expressly stated otherwise, amounts and percentages are by weight, temperature is in degrees Celsius or is at ambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.

Example 1: One Embodiment of a Dispensing Tube

Figure 6A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Further, Figures 6A, 6C, and 6D illustrate cross-sectional views at points A-A, B-B, and C-C of the tube shown in Figure 6A, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In particular, Figure 6 A illustrates a dispensing tube 100. This dispensing tube 100 may be an exemplary experimental embodiment of the dispensing tube 66 described above in association with Figures 1-5.

At one end the dispensing tube 100 can have an expanded opening 102 that may allow the dispensing tube 100 to fit onto a dispenser head 54. Further, the dispensing tube 100 can have a staged design, with varying cross-sections as designated by the lines A-A, B-B, and C-C as depicted in Figure 6A. The different cross-section profiles at positions A-A, B-B, and C-C are illustrated in Figures 6B, 6C, and 6D respectively.

The dispensing tube 100 can be made from a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The LLDPE material may have a tensile modulus of 0.15 GPa, a density of 0.9 g/cm³, and a Poisson's ratio of 0.43. Further, in one example embodiment, the dispensing tube 100 may have a tubular wall thickness of substantially 0.4 mm, which may reduce to 0.3 mm at the top of the tube (e.g., cross-section C-C in Figure 6A). In other words, the thickness of the walls of the dispensing tube 100 changes along the length of the dispensing tube 100. The change in wall thickness can maintain the cross-sectional flexibility by compensating for the different construction of the top of the dispensing tube 100 (e.g., cross-section C-C) and bottom of the dispensing tube 100 (e.g., cross-section A-A or B-B). The tube can be injection molded in two halves (e.g., along the length) and then heat welded together. Further, the dispensing tube 100 can have a total length of 305 mm.

As an example, Table 1 illustrates the deflection of the dispensing tube 100 at different pressures at 4 different points along the dispensing tube 100, indicated by the notations "measure 1", "measure 2", "measure 3", and "measure 4" in Figure 6A. In the example, the deflections were calculated with a Finite Element package for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily intended to represent actual deflections when the dispensing tube is in operation within a closed container. Table 1 shows the results of the deflection study of dispensing tube 100 with the above-mentioned design parameters (all deflections are 10^"1 mm). One of ordinary skill in the art can understand and appreciate that different set of results may be obtained for a dispensing tube that uses a different set of design parameters.

Table 1 : Deflection of the dispensing tube 100 at different points along the dispensing tube 100

In an example embodiment, the flow rate through the dispensing tube 100 at different bottle pressures can be estimated theoretically by using the results from Table 1 in a MathCAD model. It may be possible to achieve a design with constant flow rate at a certain range of bottle pressures (e.g., 0.5 to 3 bars), using a theoretical estimate of the flow rate through the dispensing tube by changing a wall thicknesses of the tube.

A batch of dispensing tubes 100 as depicted in Figure 6A was manufactured and two sample tubes tube 1 and tube 2 were tested. Figure 7 illustrates a graph of bottle headspace pressure vs. flow rate of fluid within the pressure responsive dispensing tube in the embodiment of Figure 6A, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The graph in Figure 7 show that tube 1 and tube 2 exhibited flow rates that are fairly consistent across a range of bottle pressures.

Figure 8 illustrates a graph of cross-sectional area at a given point along the length of the dispensing tube of Figure 6A versus headspace pressure inside a closed container for a theoretical pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Finite Element Analysis was used to generate the graph in Figure 8 based upon 1 mm measurements of pressure drop across the dispensing tube 100. The graph shows that a dispensing tube 100 can be constructed where the pressure across the tube 100 reaches a critical pressure value (knee-point pressure). Above this pressure, the rate of area change with pressure suddenly drops. In the graph illustrated in Figure 8, the area reduces quickly up to about 1 bar followed by a slower reduction of area.

Figure 9 illustrates a graph of flow control versus pressure performance characteristics for a theoretical pressure responsive dispensing tube, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The flow rate from a container pressure of 5000 to 40000 Pa is relatively constant; from approximately 1.3 liters/min to 1.4 liters/min. The process used to generate this dispensing tube 100 can be used to design tubes for specific applications. For example, the dispensing tube 100 can be created taking into account other variables such as container size, beginning pressure, and/or fluid viscosity.

Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.

The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention," and "the present invention," as used herein, intend to refer broadly to all disclosed subject matter and teaching, and recitations containing these terms should not be misconstrued as limiting the subject matter taught herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims. From the description of the exemplary embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments of the present invention will appear to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the claims that follow. In addition, it will be appreciated that the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing device for dispensing pressurized fluid from a closed container at a substantially constant flow rate as the pressure in the container decreases, comprising: a dispensing tube having cross-sectional profile that comprises an opening, the cross- sectional profile of the dispensing tube to change in response to a change in pressure in the closed container such that the opening changes in area, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the dispensing tube changes such that the flow rate of the fluid passing through the tube remains substantially the same with decreasing container pressure, and wherein the dispensing tube extends into the closed container and is configured to deliver fluid from the closed container at a substantially constant flow rate with changing container pressure.

2. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the change in the cross-sectional profile of the dispensing tube results in a change in the pressure drop across the tube which matches the change in the container pressure.

3. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the dispensing tube varies along the length of the tube.

4. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein a first section of the dispensing tube has a smaller cross-sectional profile to provide an initial pressure drop and increase the length of tube that is acting as a regulator.

5. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the length of the dispensing tube that changes in cross-sectional profile varies depending on the container pressure.

6. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the wall of the dispensing tube changes along the length of the dispensing tube.

7. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the closed container is a 2 L PET bottle and the fluid is a carbonated soft drink.

8. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the container is a closed container is a pressurized spray can that comprises a non-carbonated product, and wherein the can is pressurized by a propellant.

9. The dispensing device of claim 6, wherein the dispensing tube ranges in length from about 250 to 350 mm.

10. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the tube is made from an elastomer or flexible plastic.

11. The dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing tube cross-sectional profile defines one or more central openings when the tube is exposed to the maximum container pressure.

12. An assembly for dispensing pressurized fluid from a container at a substantially constant flow rate as the pressure in the container decreases, comprising: a housing adapted to couple to the container; a dispensing tube that extends into the container and transfers fluid from the container, wherein the dispensing tube has a cross-sectional profile that includes an opening, wherein the dispensing tube cross-sectional profile changes in response to changes in the container pressure such that the opening changes in area and such that the flow rate of the fluid passing through the tube remains substantially the same with decreasing container pressure; and an actuator adapted to couple to the housing and the dispensing tube and selectively transfer fluid from the dispensing tube and out of the container.