Abstract:
A three part container system. The first part is an outer rigid container formed with a mouth defining an opening into the outer container. The second part is an inner container positioned within the outer container, the inner container formed with a mouth defining an opening into the inner container, the mouth of the inner container being positioned in and sealed to or adjacent to the mouth of the outer container, at least a portion of the inner container being collapsible so that the inner container can be filled with a liquid. The third part is a turret fitted directly or indirectly by way of the outer container to the mouth of the inner container. The turret contains a one way valve so that if the inner container contains a liquid and the collapsible portion of the inner container is held above the turret, the fluid in the inner container will flow through the one way valve and out of the mouth of the turret as the inner container collapses within the outer container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/070,059 filed Feb. 14, 2008 which claimed the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/585,640 filed Oct. 24, 2006 which claimed the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/257,870 filed Oct. 25, 2005. 
   The instant invention is in the field of collapsible containers for containing liquids to be dispensed through valves. More specifically, the instant invention is in the field of hand held collapsible containers for containing liquids to be dispensed by inverting the container for gravity flow of the liquid through a one way valve so that air does not enter the collapsible container when the container is righted to stop the flow of the liquid. 
   Many liquids, such as alcoholic beverages, fruit juices and dairy products rapidly deteriorate upon exposure to oxygen following the initial opening of the container. An important solution to this problem is a collapsible container for containing such liquids to be dispensed through a valve at a controlled volume. Collapsible containers made from animal skins, organs, bota bags, and date back to ancient time. 
   Many liquids are susceptible to deterioration upon exposure to oxygen. Among these, wines are particularly vulnerable to rapid oxidation due their basic chemistry. To prevent this condition, bottling practices are followed by most commercial wineries that fill the container under vacuum or by sparging with an inert gas to exclude the oxygen. This precaution is further complicated by the use of closures, i.e. natural cork, susceptible to oxygen intrusion or other containments such as trichloroanisole (TCA). Even with these precautions, when the container is subsequently opened, oxygen intrusion immediately occurs and begins the process of oxidation and spoilage and the remaining product rapidly degrades/spoils. 
   The introduction of “bag in a box wine” (wherein the wine is contained in a collapsible plastic bag held in a cardboard box and dispensed through a valve at the bottom of the container, closed with a plastic cap) addressed both problems (oxygen intrusion and closure) but is limited in its practical use since the wine cannot be poured, but must be dispensed from the container in an upright position. U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,066 disclosed a bottle having collapsible inner container and a one way valve so that a liquid contained in the collapsible inner container is dispensed when the bottle is inverted and so that flow of air back into the collapsible inner container is prevented by closure of the one way valve when the bottle is righted. The one way valve of the &#39;066 patent must never-the-less accommodate the initial filling of the bottle which seriously limits this approach. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The above-mentioned problem of filling the collapsible inner container through the one way valve is solved in the instant invention by the use of a “turret”. The preferred turret of the instant invention contains a one way valve, a controlled volume of flow dispensing passageway, a directional pouring lip, a pilfer proof closure and a skirt (capsule) that marries the turret to the container with a sanitary junction. Thereby, a collapsible inner container can be initially filled and then the turret is attached to the bottle. The system of the instant invention allows the reasonable processing/production use of more effective and less complicated one way valves and permits the practical use of conventional filling machines. The system of the instant invention is especially applicable for containing and dispensing wine and all liquids susceptible to oxygen degradation. 
   More specifically, the instant invention is a container system, comprising: an outer container of substantially fixed shape formed with a mouth defining an opening into the outer container, the outer container also being perforated therethrough with a perforation that does not comprise a valve; an inner container positioned within the outer container, the inner container formed with a mouth defining an opening into the inner container, the mouth of the inner container being positioned in and sealed to or adjacent to the mouth of the outer container, at least a portion of the inner container being collapsible so that the inner container can be filled with a liquid, the inner container being spaced apart from the outer container at the location of the perforation; a turret fitted directly or indirectly by way of the outer container to the mouth of the inner container, the turret comprising a one way valve in liquid communication with the mouth of the inner container by way of a passageway in the turret, the one way valve comprising a freely movable sealing element, the turret defining a mouth in liquid communication with the one way valve by way of a passageway in the turret so that if the inner container contains the liquid and the collapsible portion of the inner container is held above the turret, air can flow through the perforation in the outer container into the space between the outer container and the inner container and the liquid in the inner container will flow through the one way valve by the movement of the sealing element of the one way valve into a non-sealed position, the liquid then flowing out of the mouth of the turret as the inner container collapses within the outer container, and so that if the turret is held above the inner container, flow of air back into the inner container is substantially prevented by the closure of the one way valve by the movement of the sealing element of the one way valve into a sealed position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view, part in cross-section and part in full, of a preferred container system of the instant invention employing threaded components; 
       FIG. 2  is a side exploded view, part in cross section and part in full, of the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the system shown in  FIG. 1  in position to dispense a liquid contained in the collapsible inner container; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view in full of a preferred turret of the instant invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view in cross-section of a preferred container system of the instant invention employing press fit components; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view, partially broken away, of a preferred container system of the instant invention employing a collapsible inner container having imprinted thereon a design in the form of an assembly of wine barrels; and 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the container system of  FIG. 6  having a transparent outer container and a label attached thereto. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown a side view, part in cross-section and part in full, of a preferred container system  10  of the instant invention including an outer container  11  made of conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. However, it should be understood that the outer container  11  can be made of any suitable material such as glass, other plastics or even metal. The outer container  11  is of substantially fixed shape formed with a mouth  13  defining an opening into the outer container  11 . The system  10  also includes an inner container  16  positioned within the outer container  11 , the inner container  16  formed with a mouth  12  defining an opening into the inner container  16 , the mouth  12  of the inner container being positioned in and sealed to or adjacent to the mouth  13  of the outer container  11  by way of a threaded connection as shown. At least a portion of the inner container  16  is collapsible so that the inner container can be filled with a liquid  20  such as wine. When the liquid  20  needs to be protected from atmospheric oxygen, then the inner container  16  is preferably an oxygen barrier film made of Nylon brand plastic, Saran brand plastic, polyethylene vinyl alcohol plastic or multilayer films comprising an oxygen barrier plastic. The inner container  16  can alternatively be made of metalized plastic film such as metalized Mylar brand plastic. Preferably, the inner container  16  is heat sealed to the mouth  12 . Alternatively, the mouth  12  of the inner container  16  can be heat sealed to the mouth  13  of the outer container  11 . When the liquid  20  needs to be protected from atmospheric oxygen, then the oxygen permeability of the film of the inner container  16  is preferably less than 1.3 mL of oxygen per square meter of film per day under standard temperature and pressure conditions. Plastic/laminar bags (pouches/cells) are commercially available from manufactures such as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Tetra Pac, both of Vernon Hills, Ill. Scholle Corp., Northlake, Ill. and others. 
   A significant benefit of the instant invention, when the material  20  is considered to require controlled amounts of oxygen to permit proper maturation, is the ability to correlate the desired degree of oxygen transfer thru the inner container  16 , to achieve maximum effectiveness under specific controlled conditions. In addition to the use of oxygen transfer to support proper ageing of certain wines, numerous tests have identified varying and optimum oxygen transfer rates for particular varietals of wines and extending into styles of wine. Utilization of the ability to provide an inner container  16  with a low, medium or high Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR) will permit, with the combination of pre-bottling analysis, the potential achievement of optimum total maturities, including, but not limited to, the amelioration of bitter and astringent characteristics, tanning&#39;s and acids, as well as the enhancement of aromas, flavors, tastes, color and overall chemical structure. In this respect, the instant invention provides a major advancement in oenological practice, not before obtainable thru the use of either screw cap or natural cork closures, as the former admits no oxygen and the OTR of the later is not reproducible on any reasonable consistent basis. Furthermore, the OTR of the inner container  16  can be readily adjusted by changing, for example and without limitation thereto, the thickness of and/or the number and type of layers of materials used and by deposition of fillers such as nano particles in the formation of the inner container  16 , in a specifically controlled and measurable manner. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a turret  14  is fitted to the mouth  12  of the inner container  16  and to the mouth  13  of the outer container  11  by way of threaded connections as shown. The turret  14  is preferably made of injection molded food grade oxygen impermeable plastic. The turret  14  contains a ball  17  which acts as a one way valve in liquid communication with the mouth  12  of the inner container by way of a passageway in the turret  14  as shown. The ball  17  is preferably made of a compliant material, such as an elastomer, so that it can be pressed through this passageway from the bottom of the turret  14 . The turret  14  defines a mouth  19  in liquid communication with the ball  17  by way of a passageway in the turret  14  as shown. The exterior of the mouth  19  of the turret  14  is threaded for a cap  18 . A pilfer-proof seal  21  is positioned on the skirt of the cap  18 . A pull-tab  22  is provided to remove the seal  21  so that the cap  18  can be removed. The passageways in the turret are preferably dimensioned to control the volume (or more specifically the flow rate) of liquid flowing therethrough. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown exploded view, part in cross section and part in full, of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . The collapsible inner container  16  is shown in a collapsed state for insertion into the outer container  11 . An inner supporting cage, not shown, may be necessary to support the collapsed inner container  16  when the container system  10  is filled by vacuum filling. The outer container  11  is preferably formed with a decorative band  19   a  containing air vents  19   b . The turret  14  is preferably joined to outer container  11  by a sanitary seal where the bottom of the turret  14  contacts the top of the decorative band  19   a.    
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown a side view of the system shown in  FIG. 1  with the collapsible portion of the inner container  16  held above the turret  14  so that the liquid  20  in the inner container will flow through the turret  14  as the inner container  16  collapses within the outer container  11 . The outer container  11  is preferably perforated to facilitate entry of air between the outer container  11  and the inner container  16  as the inner container  16  collapses. When the container system is righted so that the turret  14  is held above the inner container  16 , flow of air back into the inner container  16  is substantially prevented by the movement of the ball  17  back to its seated position as shown in  FIG. 1 . Thereby, the liquid  20  can be protected from atmospheric oxygen deterioration. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown a top view in full of a preferred turret of the instant invention having a mouth  19  and a directional pour lip  24 . A tear-away closure  25  is provided with a pull tab  23  for removal of the tear-away closure  25  upon the initial opening of the container system. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown a side cross-sectional view of a preferred container system  30  of the instant invention similar to the container system  10  of  FIG. 1  but employing press fit connections of many of the various components. The container system  30  includes an outer container  34  made of conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. However, it should be understood that the outer container  34  can be made of any suitable material such as glass, other plastics or even metal. The outer container  34  is of substantially fixed shape formed with a mouth  33  defining an opening into the outer container  34 . The system  30  also includes an inner container  32  positioned within the outer container  34 , the inner container  32  is formed with a mouth  31  defining an opening into the inner container  32 , the mouth  31  of the inner container being positioned in and sealed to the mouth  33  of the outer container  34  by way of a press fit and annular band  39  formed on the mouth  31  of the inner container  32  and a corresponding groove formed in the mouth  33  of the outer container  34 . At least a portion of the inner container  32  is collapsible so that the inner container  32  can be filled with a liquid such as wine. When the liquid needs to be protected from atmospheric oxygen, then the inner container  32  is preferably an oxygen barrier film made of Nylon brand plastic, Saran brand plastic, polyethylene vinyl alcohol plastic or multilayer films comprising an oxygen barrier plastic. The inner container  32  can also be made of metalized plastic film such as metalized Mylar brand plastic. Plastic films in the form of bags suitable for exposure to wine are commercially available from Tetra Pac, Inc. of Vernon Hills, Ill. as well as from Scholle Corp, Container Division, Northlake, Ill. Preferably, the inner container  32  is heat sealed to the mouth  31 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 5 , a turret  35  is fitted to the mouth  31  of the inner container  32  and to the mouth  33  of the outer container  34  by way of a press fit and annular bands  38  and  40  formed on the mouth  31  of the inner container  32  and on the mouth  33  of the outer container  32  and corresponding grooves formed in the turret  35  as shown. The turret  35  is preferably made of injection molded food grade plastic. The turret  35  contains a retained disk  41  which acts as a one way valve in liquid communication with the mouth  31  of the inner container  32  by way of passageways  42  in the turret  35  as shown. The turret  35  defines a mouth  36  in liquid communication with the retained disk  41  and passageways  42  by way of a passageway in the turret  35  as shown. The exterior of the mouth  36  of the turret  35  is threaded to receive a cap. When the collapsible portion of the inner container  32  held above the turret  35 , the liquid in the inner container will flow through the turret  35  as the inner container  32  collapses within the outer container  34 . The outer container  34  is preferably perforated to facilitate entry of air between the outer container  34  and the inner container  32  as the inner container  32  collapses. When the container system  30  is righted so that the turret  35  is held above the inner container  32 , flow of air back into the inner container  32  is substantially prevented by the movement of the retained disk  41  back to its seated position as shown in  FIG. 4 . Thereby, the liquid in the inner container  32  can be protected from atmospheric oxygen deterioration. 
   The ball based one way valve of the container system of  FIG. 1  and the retained disk based one way valve of the container system of  FIG. 4  are specific examples, without limitation thereto, of one way valves (also known as check valves) that can be used in the instant invention. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown a side view, partially broken away, of a preferred container system  52  of the instant invention employing a collapsible inner container  51  having imprinted thereon a design in the form of an assembly of wine barrels and a transparent outer container  50 . The collapsible inner container  51  preferably comprises an elastomer so that the collapsible inner container  51  collapses not unlike a deflating balloon in the outer container  50 . Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown a side view of the container system  52  of  FIG. 6  having a label  53  attached thereto. 
   CONCLUSION 
   While the instant invention has been described above according to its preferred embodiments, it can be modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the instant invention using the general principles disclosed herein. Further, the instant application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the following claims.