Abstract:
This invention is directed toward a beverage dispensing module and flexible pouch. The beverage dispensing module is suitable for alcoholic beverages. The beverage dispensing module includes an outlet arrangement for selectively dispensing beverage, a pressurizing arrangement including resilient bias means connected to a roller and a beverage pouch fluidly connected to the outlet arrangement and mounted with the roller. The resilient bias means, outlet arrangement and roller are configured to form an overpressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, within the pouch.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention is directed towards a beverage dispensing module and flexible pouch for such a beverage dispensing module. The beverage dispensing module is particularly suitable for alcoholic beverages. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Beverages, for example alcoholic beverages, sodas, concentrates and the like, are commonly supplied individually to consumers in bottles and typically glass bottles. However, glass bottles utilise space inefficiently when stacked, are relatively heavy and can be broken relatively easily when subjected to an impact. Therefore, they are not optimally suited to transportation. Furthermore, when a bottle is opened air is able to contact the beverage, which may result in the evaporation of the beverage and/or causing the beverage to degrade. For example, the alcohol in an alcoholic beverage will evaporate, thereby reducing the alcoholic content of the beverage. The air may also oxidise the alcohol such that the taste of the beverage changes. 
         [0003]    Bag-in-box type containers commonly prevent air from contacting the beverage by comprising a one-way valve which allows beverage to flow out of, but prevents air from flowing into, the bag. However, such bag-in-box containers are not considered to be premium products by consumers and have, as a result, not replaced glass bottles as the typical beverage container. The bag-in-box type containers are also commonly very large (e.g. 3 to 5 litres) and are not suited to storing beverages, such as liquors, which are commonly supplied only in relatively smaller quantities (e.g. 1 litre). The box is also typically formed of cardboard or the like and thus has a relatively low structural strength. Therefore, they are not suited to vertical stacking in large numbers. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is directed in one aspect towards a beverage dispensing module comprising: an outlet arrangement for selectively dispensing beverage; a pressurising arrangement comprising resilient bias means connected to a roller; a beverage pouch fluidly connected to the outlet arrangement and mounted with the roller; wherein the resilient bias means, outlet arrangement and roller are configured to form an overpressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, within the pouch. 
         [0005]    The present invention is directed in a further aspect towards a beverage dispensing module comprising: a beverage reservoir; a module outlet; and a duckbill valve positioned between the beverage reservoir and the module outlet for selectively enabling fluid communication therebetween, the duckbill valve comprising: first and second valve walls converging from first ends to second ends, the second ends being positioned closer to the reservoir than the first ends, and the second ends defining a valve mouth between valve tips. 
         [0006]    The present invention is directed in yet a further aspect to a flexible pouch for a beverage comprising: a first major side panel connected to a first minor side panel along a first corner; a second major side panel connected to the first minor side panel along a second corner; and a first sealed region between the first major and minor side panels, wherein the first sealed region: extends along and is located adjacent to the first corner; and extends orthogonal to the first corner into the first major and minor side panels by a first width, said first width being greater in a central portion along the first corner than on either side of the central portion. 
         [0007]    The present invention is directed in yet a further aspect to a flexible pouch for a beverage comprising: a first major side panel connected to a first minor side panel along a first corner; a second major side panel connected to the first minor side panel along a second corner; and a first sealed region between the first major and minor side panels, wherein the first sealed region: extends along and is located adjacent to the first corner; extends orthogonal to the first corner into the first major and minor side panels by a first width; and comprises a first portion extending from a first end of the first major and minor side panels towards a midpoint along the first corner, wherein the first width of the first portion decreases away from the first end. 
         [0008]    In a preferred embodiment the container to which the beverage dispensing arrangement is attached comprises a housing and first and second end covers. The housing comprises first and second major and minor side walls and, at either end thereof, forms an opening for receiving the first and second end covers. The first and second end covers comprise at least one protrusion for mounting into recesses formed in, or adjacent to, the inner face of at least one of the side walls. The engagement between the protrusions and recesses holds the end covers in place. In a further embodiment the second minor side wall is formed from two minor side panels of the housing. A tear strip is provided from the first to second end of the outer minor side panel and the two minor side panels are adhered to one another such that when the tear strip is removed the two minor side panels are disconnected. Therefore, the housing can be unwrapped and easily recycled. 
         [0009]    The beverage dispensing module is suitable for containing alcoholic beverages and is particularly suitable for containing spirits, such as whisky, vodka, gin, liqueur, coffee liqueur, rum, aniseed-based spirit, pastis, cognac, brandy or tequila. The beverage dispensing module may also be suitable for containing other alcoholic beverages including champagne, wine, beer or cocktails, and/or other types of beverage, including sodas (also known as soft drinks) and beverage concentrates. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to, and as show in, the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a exploded view of a first embodiment of the construction of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a step in the assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the embodiment of  FIG. 2  when assembled; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the construction of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the construction of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the construction of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the construction of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the construction of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of a housing of the embodiment of  FIG. 9A  when assembled; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention including a beverage reservoir and beverage dispensing arrangement; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the module of  FIG. 10  when assembled and with the beverage reservoir not shown; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation of the module of  FIG. 10  when assembled wherein a side wall is not shown to illustrate the arrangement of the beverage reservoir and beverage dispensing arrangement; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a front elevation of the module of  FIG. 10  wherein the front side wall is not shown; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a pouch of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a side elevation of the pouch of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a further side elevation of the pouch of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a schematic of a blank for forming the pouch of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a schematic of a blank for forming a further embodiment of a pouch of the beverage dispensing module of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a side elevation of a second end of an embodiment of a pouch of the present invention including attachment means; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a partially hidden perspective view of a further embodiment of the pouch of the present invention illustrating a gusset provided inside the pouch; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21A  is a perspective view of an outlet arrangement of the module of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 21B  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 11  illustrating the components of the outlet arrangement in further detail; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 22A and 22B  are a cross-sectional side elevation and perspective view of a valve arrangement of the module of  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0035]      FIGS. 23A and 23B  are schematics of embodiments of a pressuring arrangement of the present invention comprising elastic members mounted to a roller. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which a beverage dispensing module  500  is operable to stand on a surface independently and is generally bibliomorphic (book shaped). The module  500  comprises a container  10  having first and second major side walls  11 ,  12 , first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14  and first and second end walls  15 ,  16 . In the present disclosure the term “minor” is used to indicate a small dimension (e.g. area or length) and the term “major” is used to indicate a larger dimension. For example, the surface area of each of the first and second major side walls  11 ,  12  is larger than the surface area of each of the first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14 . 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  the walls are each substantially rectangular in shape. Each major edge of the first and second major side walls  11 ,  12  is coincident with a major edge of the first or second minor side wall  13 ,  14 . Each minor edge of the first and second major side walls  11 ,  12  is coincident with a major edge of the first and second end walls  15 ,  16 . Each minor edge of the first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14  is coincident with a minor edge of the first and second end walls  15 ,  16 . The container  10  therefore has a substantially rectangular cuboidal shape and is, in a particularly preferred arrangement, of a height, width and depth such as to provide an upright container which is both capable of being freestanding and is also relatively stable in that configuration. In alternative embodiments the container  10  has another suitable shape, such as a cube or square cuboid. 
         [0038]    The beverage dispensing module  500  further comprises a beverage dispensing arrangement  100 . The beverage dispensing arrangement  100  comprises an outlet arrangement  101  for controlling liquid beverage flow or selectively dispensing liquid beverage from a beverage reservoir located within the container  10 . The outlet arrangement  101  comprises an outlet nozzle  102  mounted to the outside of the container  10  and a beverage dispensing valve  103  located at least partially within the container  10 . The beverage dispensing valve  103  is controlled by a dispensing actuator  104 . The beverage dispensing arrangement  100  is discussed in more detail below. 
       Container Construction 
       [0039]    The container  10  may be constructed in any suitable manner and several embodiments of the construction are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 8 . 
         [0040]    In the first embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the container  10  comprises a housing  30  forming the first and second minor and major side walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 . The housing  30  comprises substantially rectangular first, second, third and fourth minor and major housing panels  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 , top panel  39  and bottom panel  40 . The first major housing panel  32  is attached along opposing major edges to major edges of the first and second minor housing panels  31 ,  33 . The second major housing panel  34  is attached along opposing major edges to major edges of the second and third minor housing panels  33 ,  35 . The third major housing panel  36  is attached along opposing major edges to major edges of the third and fourth minor housing panels  35 ,  37 . The fourth major housing panel  38  is attached along a major edge to a major edge of the fourth minor housing panel  37 . A major edge of each of the first minor housing panel  31  and fourth major housing panel  38  and all of the minor edges of the housing panels  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38  are free from other housing panels  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 . 
         [0041]    Each of the top and bottom panels  39 ,  40  comprise protrusions  41  around their periphery for mounting into apertures  42  in the housing panels  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 . In particular, two protrusions  41  are provided on each major edge of the top and bottom panels  39 ,  40  and corresponding mounting apertures  42  are provided adjacent the minor edges of the third and fourth major housing panels  36 ,  38 . Apertures  43  are provided towards an upper end of the second and fourth minor housing panels  33 ,  37  for receiving the outlet arrangement  101 . Components of the beverage dispensing arrangement  100  may be attached to the underside of the top panel  39 , as will be described below. Slots  44  or the like may be provided along the third and fourth minor housing panels  35 ,  37  for receiving the ends of a roller of the beverage dispensing arrangement  100 , as will also be described below. 
         [0042]    During assembly the housing  30  may be folded along fold lines in between each of the housing panels  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38  such that the first and second minor housing panels  31 ,  33  form the second and first side walls  14 ,  13  respectively of the container  10  and the first and second major housing panels  32 ,  34  form the first and second major side walls  11 ,  12  respectively. The third and fourth minor and major housing panels  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38  are enclosed therein. The top and bottom panels  39 ,  40  are mounted adjacent the minor edges of the housing panels  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38  in the apertures  42 , thereby forming the container  10  as an enclosure. Adhesive or other fixing means may be provided to hold the housing  30  in such an arrangement. A tab  45  may be provided for a user to easily break the adhesive or fixing means such that they can disassemble the housing  30 , thereby enabling access to the parts of the container  10  for recycling or the like. 
         [0043]    In the second embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the container  10  comprises a unitary housing  50  and top and bottom panels  51 ,  52 . The housing  50  is formed from a relatively thin-walled tubular structure having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape when viewed from the top of the container  10  (i.e. in plan view). Thus the housing  50  forms a substantially rectangular cuboid shape. The housing  50  comprises first and second major housing panels  53 ,  54  forming first and second major side walls  11 ,  12  respectively of the container  10  and connected at major edges to first and second minor housing panels  55 ,  56  forming first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14  of the container  10 . In a similar manner to the first embodiment, components of the beverage dispensing arrangement  100  may be attached to the underside of the top panel  51 , which forms the first end wall  15 . The bottom panel  52  forms the second end wall  14 . Slots (not shown) may be provided down the inside of the first and second minor housing panels  55 ,  56  for receiving and guiding a roller of the beverage dispensing arrangement  100 . An enclosed container  10  is formed by attaching the top and bottom panels  51 ,  52  to the open ends of the housing  50 , for example by adhesive and/or a press fit. In contrast to the first embodiment, the top and bottom panels  51 ,  52  may protrude from the housing  50  rather than be located inside it when the container  10  is assembled. 
         [0044]    In a third embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the container  10  may comprise an inner housing  60 , an outer housing  61  and a dispensing arrangement mount  62 . Each of the inner and outer housings  60 ,  61  may be of a unitary structure and form a hollow, substantially rectangular cuboid shape. The inner housing  60  may comprise first and second minor inner housing panels  63 ,  64  connected at major edges to first and second major inner housing panels  65 ,  66 . A bottom panel (not shown) is connected to the bottom minor edges of each of the inner housing panels  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66  and forms the second end wall  16  of the assembled container  10 . Recesses or apertures  67  are provided in the first and second major inner housing panels  65 ,  66  for receiving the corresponding protrusions (not illustrated) on the dispensing arrangement mount  62 . Slots  68  or the like may be provided along the first and second minor inner housing panels  63 ,  64  for receiving the ends of a roller of the beverage dispensing arrangement  100 , as will also be described below. 
         [0045]    The outer housing  61  comprises first and second minor outer housing panels  69 ,  70 , forming first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14  of the container  10 , and connected at major edges to first and second major inner housing panels  71 ,  72 , forming first and second major side walls  11 ,  12  respectively of the container  10 . A top panel  73  is connected to the bottom minor edges of each of the inner housing panels  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66  and forms the first end wall  15  of the assembled container  10 . An aperture  74  is provided adjacent the top end of the outer housing  61  for receiving the outlet arrangement  101 . When assembled, the outer housing  61  fits over the inner housing  60  and is attached thereto by a fixing means, such as an adhesive or the like. The dispensing arrangement mount  62  is mounted within the inner housing  60  and supports the beverage dispensing arrangement  100  therein. 
         [0046]    In fourth and fifth embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the container  10  comprises a rigid hoop or band  340  surrounding and defining an opening  341 . The band opening  341  is closed laterally (i.e. on either side of the band  340 ) by first and second walls  342 ,  343  mounted inside the band  340 , thereby forming a substantially sealed enclosure within. The first and second walls each comprise inturned panels for locating within the band  340 . The outlet arrangement  101  is mounted to the band  340  and the first and second wall  342 ,  343 . The first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14  and first and second end walls  15 ,  16  are formed by the band  340 . The first and second major side walls  11 ,  12  are formed substantially from the outer edges of the band  340  and the first and second walls  342 ,  343 . 
         [0047]    The band  340  comprises a strip having major internal and external surfaces  344 ,  345  formed substantially as a loop. The external surface  344  faces substantially away from the band  340  and the internal surface  345  faces towards itself or inwards from the band  340 . The band  340  extends all the way around the periphery of the first and second walls  342 ,  343 . The band  340  may also be described as a loop, ring, brace or hoop comprising a substantially continuous outer surface. The meaning of the term “substantially continuous” includes the embodiments wherein a split (described hereinbelow) is provided in the band. 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the band  340  may be substantially rectangular. The band  340  generally comprises at least one substantially flat outer surface to enable the container  10  to rest in a stable manner on a flat surface. The band  340  provides the primary structural support for the container  10 . The band  340  prevents inwards collapse of the container  10  and thereby maintains the shape of the container  10  when a force is applied to the first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14  and first and second end walls  15 ,  16 . The band  340  is stiffer than the first and second side walls  342 ,  343 . 
         [0049]    The band  340  may be manufactured, for example, from a single cast of metal or from moulded plastic. Alternatively the band  340  is manufactured by bending an elongate plate or strip back on itself at four corners and joining the two ends of the plate together, for example by using a welding technique. The band  340  may alternatively be formed from a paper-based material, such as cardboard. 
         [0050]    A number of different arrangements may be employed to mount the first and second walls  342 ,  343  with the band  340 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0051]    In the fourth embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the band  340  is split such that it may be extended in a flat configuration. This permits the width of the band  340  to be increased/expanded, in order to allow the first and second walls  342 ,  343  more readily to be separated from the band  340 . This improves the ease of disassembly of the container  10 . Alternatively, the band  340  may be completely continuous with no splits, as in the fifth embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0052]    The first and second walls  342 ,  343  each comprise mounting means  346  for receiving and supporting a dispensing arrangement mount  345  to which the beverage dispensing arrangement  100  is attached. Apertures  347 ,  348  are provided in the hoop  340  and first and second walls  342 ,  343  for receiving the outlet arrangement  101 . 
         [0053]    In a sixth, preferred, embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the the container  10  comprises a housing  601  forming the first and second minor and major side walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 . The housing  601  is illustrated in an assembled state in  FIG. 9B . The housing  601  comprises substantially rectangular first and second major housing panels  602 ,  603  and first, second and third  604 ,  605 ,  606  minor housing panels. A first major edge of the first minor housing panel  604  is attached to a first major edge of the first major housing panel  602  and the opposing second major edge of the first minor housing panel  604  is a free edge. The second major edge of the first major housing panel  602  is attached to a first major edge of the second minor housing panel  605 . The second major edge of the second minor housing panel  605  is attached to a first major edge of the second major housing panel  603 . The opposing second major edge of the second major housing panel  603  is attached to a first major edge of the third minor housing panel  606 . The second major edge of the third minor housing panel  606  is a free edge. 
         [0054]    All of the housing panels  602 ,  603 ,  604 ,  605  other than the third minor housing panel  606  are formed of substantially rigid material, such as a stiff card. The third minor housing panel  606  is preferably formed of a relatively flexible material, although it may be formed from the same material as the other panels  602 ,  603 ,  604 ,  605 . 
         [0055]    The third minor housing panel  606  comprises a tear strip  620  extending therealong between the first and second end walls  15 ,  16 . When the housing  601  is assembled, the third minor housing panel  606  overlies the first minor housing panel  604  such that the first minor housing panel  604  is covered from the outside of the container  10 . Between the tear strip  620  and first major edge of the third minor housing panel  606  the third minor housing panel  606  is left unbonded to the first minor housing panel  604 . However, the third minor housing panel  606  is bonded to the first minor housing panel  604  between the tear strip  620  and free second major edge of the third minor housing panel  606 . Therefore, if the tear strip  620  is torn, the housing  601  is disassembled. 
         [0056]    The container  10  further comprises first and second end covers  610 ,  611 . The first end cover  610  comprises a panel  612  attached to a dispensing arrangement mount  613 . The dispensing arrangement mount  613  comprises four side walls  614  extending from the periphery of the panel  612 . The side walls  614  comprise protrusions  615  extending therefrom. The second end cover  611  comprises a major panel  616  with protrusions  617  extending orthogonal to the plane of the major panel  616  from the periphery of the major panel  616 . 
         [0057]    Each of the protrusions  615 ,  617  are arranged to be mounted into internal recesses  625  formed on the inside of the major panels  602 ,  603  of the housing  601 . The mounting of the protrusions  615 ,  617  and recesses  625  ensures that the end covers  610 ,  611  remain in place, but also prevents the major housing panels  602 ,  603  from bulging outwards when placed under force from the beverage reservoir therein. As illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the recesses  625  may be formed as slots by multiple layers  626 ,  627  of panels. The first layer  626 , adjacent to the major panels  602 ,  603 , is shaped to comprise at least one indentation  628  and is substantially the same thickness as the protrusions  615 ,  617 . The at least one indentation  628  comprises a shape corresponding to the protrusions  615 ,  617  such that the protrusions  615 ,  617  can be inserted therein. The second layer  627  is provided over the first layer  626  and overlies the indentation(s)  628 , thereby forming the recesses  625 . 
         [0058]    The second minor housing panel  605  and a side wall  614  of the dispensing arrangement mount  613  comprise corresponding apertures  630 ,  631  for receiving the outlet nozzle  102 . The apertures  630 ,  631  are therefore formed substantially adjacent to an end of the container  10 . 
         [0059]    The container  10  may be shaped and sized to fit through a domestic letterbox (mail slot). In Europe, the opening in such a letterbox is typically around 250 mm wide and around 30-40 mm high, so the dimensions of a cross-section of the container  10  may be less than, say, 250 mm×40 mm. In a particular embodiment, the container  10  has the dimensions of about 200 mm×150 mm×36 mm. Preferably the minor dimension of the first and second minor sides walls  13 ,  14  and first and second end walls  15 ,  16  is less than 40 mm, more preferably less than 35 mm and more preferably less than 30 mm. Such dimensions equally permit delivery of the container  10  to a curbside mailbox such as is common in North America. 
         [0060]    The material selected to form the container  10  maintains the integrity of the reservoir when the container  10  is dropped through a letterbox onto the floor inside a building or onto the bottom of a mailbox. Again, in Europe, current standards permit the letterbox to be anywhere between 0.7 m and 1.7 m above the ground and the structure and integrity of the container  10  must be sufficient to accommodate this drop. Of course, where a mailbox is provided instead of an opening in a door of a dwelling, for example, the drop to the bottom of the mailbox from its opening is relatively short. 
         [0061]    The structural support provided by the cuboidal shape of the container  10  enables a plurality of modules  500  to be stacked adjacent to and/or on top of one another. Stacking efficiency is thereby achieved by the saving of space during stacking. 
         [0062]    In the embodiments the walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  are preferably formed of a relatively rigid but deformable and lightweight material so as to provide, on the one hand, a degree of rigidity and impact protection to the container  10 , but equally to allow manipulation (by hand or machine) so as to facilitate construction and dismantling of the container  10  as described below. It is further desirable that the walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  are formed of a material or materials that is/are insoluble in water, and preferably liquid absorbent as well. The purpose of this is to avoid disintegration of the walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  should the beverage inside the container  10  leak or be spilled upon the walls (internally or externally of them), or upon contact of a liquid, such as rain, with the outside of the container  10 . 
         [0063]    A cardboard material is particularly preferred for reasons of cost, weight and ease of recycling, and because cardboard can be easily and inexpensively embossed and/or printed upon to allow identification and branding of the contents of the container  10 . In particular, multi-ply cross-laminated duplex board has been found to provide suitable structural stiffness. If included, the top and bottom panels  39 ,  40 ,  51 ,  52  and/or end covers  610 ,  611  are preferably formed of a plastics material since a user is most likely to use them to support the container  10  on a surface. By forming them of plastic, any residual liquid on the surface is not absorbed by the cardboard material forming the rest of the container  10  and the integrity of the container  10  is maintained. 
         [0064]    A cover layer, for example a flexible laminate or paper layer, may also be provided around the walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  to add further water resistance to the container  10 . In addition, the cover layer may include logos and/or product information relating to the beverage inside the container  10 . 
         [0065]    Although, again as noted, the walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  need not necessarily be formed of a flexible material, again preferably a cardboard material may be employed even so, for reasons of cost, weight and so forth. Although the foregoing describes a number of alternative arrangements for the construction and configuration of the container  10 , it is to be that these are merely exemplary and that other forms are contemplated. In particular, in terms of sustainability of materials, ease of recycling, cost, weight and so forth, it is not essential that the container  10  be formed of multiple separate or separable parts. 
       The Beverage Dispensing Arrangement 
       [0066]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exploded view of the module  500  when constructed in a similar manner to the sixth embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  and including the beverage dispensing arrangement  100 . In  FIG. 10  the reference numerals referring to the features of the housing  601  and first and second end covers  610 ,  611  have been omitted for clarity, although the features are the same as described above.  FIGS. 11 to 13  illustrate the components of the module  500  and beverage dispensing arrangement  100  in further detail. The beverage dispensing arrangement  100  generally comprises a pressurising arrangement  110  for applying pressure to a compressible beverage reservoir  111  containing a beverage. Compressing the reservoir  111  causes the beverage in turn to flow along the outlet arrangement  101 , which comprises the outlet nozzle  102 , the dispensing valve  103  and a dispensing conduit  106  formed between the body of the reservoir  111  and the outlet nozzle  102 . The beverage presses against the dispensing valve  103  until opened by the dispensing actuator  104 , when beverage is driven from the reservoir  111 , along the dispensing conduit  106 , through the dispensing valve  103  and out of the container  10  via the outlet nozzle  102 . Preferably there are no air gaps within the reservoir  111 , such that as beverage is ejected the internal volume of the reservoir  111  is reduced. 
       The Pressurising Arrangement 
       [0067]    The reservoir  111  comprises a pouch  112  formed of a flexible membrane having an outlet  113  connected and sealed to the outlet arrangement  101 . The construction of the pouch  112  will be described in more detail below. The pressurising arrangement  110  comprises a roller  114  and a resilient bias means  115  or mechanism. An end of the pouch  112  is attached along the length of the roller  114 . The resilient bias means  115  is arranged to roll the roller  114  such that the internal volume of the pouch  112  is reduced by wrapping the pouch  112  around the roller  114  as beverage is dispensed from the pouch  112 . 
         [0068]    The roller  114  is substantially elongate and extends from the first minor side wall  13  to the second minor side wall  14 . As illustrated, the roller  114  has a circular cross-section and has the same diameter along its length. Such an arrangement is preferred in order to prevent the creation of air pockets within the pouch  112  and to ensure that the pouch  112  remains taught during dispensing. In alternative embodiments the roller  114  may have any other suitable cross-sectional shape, for example square, rectangular, hexagonal, triangular or octagonal. Furthermore, the diameter of the roller  114  may vary along its length, for example by being larger in the centre and decreasing towards the ends of the roller  114 . The roller  114  may be shaped such that it has the smallest diameter where the pouch  112  has the greatest thickness, such that the overall thickness of the pouch  112  and roller  114 , when the pouch  112  has been wrapped around the roller by several turns, is equal along the length of the pouch  112  and roller  114 . 
         [0069]    The roller  114  may be formed from any suitable material, such as cardboard or a lightweight plastics material, and may be hollow (i.e. tubular) or substantially solid. Cardboard is preferred for sustainability reasons. 
         [0070]    The pouch  112  may be attached all the way along, or only partly along (for example, only at the sides of) the roller  114 . In particular, the end of the pouch  112  opposite the outlet  113  (i.e. the lower end in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) may be adhered along its length the roller  114 . Alternatively, only a central portion of the lower end of the pouch  112  may be attached to the roller  114 . 
         [0071]    The resilient bias means  115  is attached to the roller  114  to resiliently bias the roller  114  by inducing a torque such that the roller  114  will rotate and apply a compressive force to the pouch  112  and any beverage inside it. Thus if no liquid pressure resists the compressive force the roller  114  will continue to rotate and the pouch  112  will wrap around it until it reaches the end of its range at the top of the container  10 . In doing so, the internal volume within the pouch  112  will be reduced. 
         [0072]    In the illustrated embodiments the resilient bias means  115  comprises first and second springs  117 ,  118 , each attached at either end of the roller  114 . Preferably the springs  117 ,  118  are constant force roll springs and are formed of steel. The springs  117 ,  118  store mechanical energy such that they will apply a rotational force to the roller  114 . The free end of each spring  117 ,  118  extends from the roller  114  to the top of the container  10  where it is attached to the container  10  by attachment means, such as one of the aforementioned dispensing mounts  39 ,  51 ,  62 ,  613 , housings  30 ,  50 ,  60 ,  340 ,  601 , first end cover  610 , and/or walls  342 ,  343 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 to 13 , each spring  117 ,  118  comprises an aperture  119  for attachment to hooking means (not shown), such as a peg or hook, on the inner side of the first end cover  610 . 
         [0073]    In the illustrated embodiments the springs  117 ,  118  are wrapped around the roller  114 . However, in alternative embodiments the springs  117 ,  118  may be attached to either end of the roller  114 , for example by being mounted on pins protruding from the end faces of the roller  114 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the free ends of the springs  117 ,  118  extend to the top of the container  10  between the pouch  112  and one of the major walls  11 ,  12  of the container  10 . Such an arrangement is preferred as a relatively large pouch  112  may be included within the container  10 . In an alternative arrangement the pouch  112  does not overlap with the springs  117 ,  118  such that the springs  117 ,  118  are located between the pouch  112  and the first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14 . Although such an arrangement may improve ease of assembly, for a fixed size of beverage container  10  the pouch  112  would need to be smaller and thus contain a smaller amount of beverage. 
         [0074]    The springs  117 ,  118  may be mounted on the roller  114  in recessed regions  120 , having a smaller diameter than the rest of the roller  114 , towards the ends of the roller  114 . When the roller  114  reaches the top of its range and the pouch  112  has entirely wrapped around it, the provision of the springs  117 ,  118  in the recessed regions  120  has been found to ensure that there is less residual beverage left in the pouch  112 . The recessed regions  120  may be formed integrally with the rest of the roller  114 . Alternatively, the roller  114  may be formed from a first tube being inserted into the second tube of a larger internal diameter. The second tube is shorter than the first tube and is centrally positioned along the first tube, thereby exposing either end of the first tube. These exposed ends of the first tube form the recessed regions  120 . 
         [0075]    It will be appreciated that there are various other suitable arrangements for the springs  117 ,  118 . Only one or more than two springs  117 ,  118  may be attached between the roller  114  and the top of the container  10 . The springs  117 ,  118  may be any other suitable type of spring, such as spiral or torsion springs. Furthermore, the springs need not be attached to the top of the container  10  and may instead only be attached to the roller  114 . 
         [0076]    The resilient bias means  115  may alternatively comprise at least one elongate elastic (e.g. elastomeric) member attached to the roller  114  and arranged to induce a torque in the roller  114  such that it rotates. Two suitable arrangements for the formation of the resilient bias means  115  by elastic members are shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B . As illustrated, preferably the roller  114  is substantially hollow and the at least one elastic member  800  extends through it between the minor side walls  13 ,  14  of the container  10 . 
         [0077]    Preferably the at least one elastic member  800  is anchored to the roller  114  towards its centre, as in  FIG. 23A . Two elastic members  800  are provided, each anchored in two apertures  801  spaced equally on either side of the centre of the elongate axis of rotation of the roller  114 . Each end of the elastic members  800  is attached to the anchor members  802  at either end of the roller  114 . The anchor members  802  are not rotatable, but can slide up and down the first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14  of the container  10 . For example, the anchor members  802  are square or rectangular (i.e. include two parallel edges) and are mounted in the slots  44 ,  68  or slide up and down the inside of the first and second minor side walls  13 ,  14  and are constrained from rotation by the inner faces of the first and second major side walls  11 ,  12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 23B , an interior anchor member  803  is provided within the roller  114 . The interior anchor member  803  comprises a circular disc having an aperture  804  adjacent to its periphery for each elastic member  800  to pass through. It will be appreciated that in both of the embodiments of  FIGS. 23A and 23B  the two elastic members  800  could be joined at their ends to form elastic bands, or more than two elastic members  800  could be provided. 
         [0078]    During assembly at least one of the anchor members  802  is rotated to helically wind each elastic member  800  around itself as well as, if present, the other elastic member  800 . Once the anchor members  802  are mounted in the slots  44 ,  68 , the helical winding of the elastic member(s) will resiliently bias and induce a torque in the roller  114  such that it rotates and wraps the pouch  112  around it when beverage is dispensed from its internal volume. The anchoring of the elastic members  800  towards the centre of the roller  114  ensures that, during the unwinding of the elastic members  800 , the roller  114  is maintained in a horizontal configuration. If it is not maintained in the horizontal configuration the roller  114  is prone to become jammed. 
         [0079]    The at least one elastic member  800  may be formed of polymer, latex, theraband, neoprene, silicone or the like. Preferably the at least one elastic member  800  is maintained within its elastic range between when the pouch  112  is full and when it is empty, such that it always provides a substantially equal compressive force to the pouch  112  over its range of expansion and contraction. It has been found that a circular cross section is particularly suitable for achieving such an effect as it comprises a relatively high number of cross-links in various directions which prevent stress relaxation. This is particularly the case when compared to an elastic member  800  having a substantially planar cross-section. 
         [0080]    In an alternative embodiment, first and second elastic members  800  may each be attached at either end of the roller  114  and extend to the top of the container  10 . The tensile force of the at least one elastic member  800  may resiliently bias the roller  114  into rolling. The at least one elastic member  800  could, for example, be under maximum tension when the pouch  112  is full of beverage and may become progressively less taut as beverage is emptied. 
       The Pouch 
       [0081]      FIGS. 14 to 17  illustrate an embodiment of the pouch  112  of the present invention. It is noted that the dotted lines and cross-hatching are intended to be merely schematic representations of the areas where panels have been attached to other panels. This is particularly the case with  FIG. 17 , which is merely a schematic view of a blank  200  for forming the pouch  112  with the areas shown where the panels would be attached to one another in the assembled pouch  112 . 
         [0082]    The pouch  112  is formed from a substantially flexible, impermeable, laminar membrane. The laminate is preferably of a type suitable for containing alcoholic beverage and thus withstands exposure to alcohol for a significantly long period of time and does not degrade or delaminate. The laminate also preferably has low fluid transmission rates to ensure that the composition of the beverage does not vary over the time, for example by preventing water and alcohol vapour escaping or allowing oxygen to enter. Further preferably, the laminate is arranged to be welded/sealed and the material is such that alcohol does no degrade the welds/seals. It is also preferred if the laminate does not degrade into the beverage such that the flavour of the beverage is changed during storage in the pouch  112 . 
         [0083]    The laminate may comprise at least one metallised layer and at least one weld layer. The laminate may comprise a number of layers of PE (polyethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETMET (PET metallised with a metal, such as aluminium, of negligible thickness), aluminium (referred to as ALU), EVOH (Ethylene vinyl alcohol), PP (polypropene), OPA (polyamide), silicon oxide and aluminium oxide. 
         [0084]    The pouch  112  comprises substantially opposing first and second major side panels  201 ,  202  and substantially opposing first and second minor side panels  203 ,  204 . Each of the side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204  comprises first and second major edges  205 ,  206 ,  207 ,  208 ,  209 ,  210 ,  211 ,  212 ,  245 ,  246  and first and second minor edges  213 ,  214 ,  215 ,  216 ,  217 ,  218 ,  219 ,  220 . The side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204  are attached to one another along the major edges  205 ,  206 ,  207 ,  208 ,  209 ,  210 ,  211 ,  212 ,  245 ,  246  at first, second, third and fourth corners  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 . The first major edge  205  of the first major side panel  201  is connected to the first major edge  209  the first minor side panel  203  along the first corner  221 . The second major edge  210  of the first minor side panel  203  is connected to the first major edge  207  of the second major side panel  202  along the second corner  222 . The second major edge  206  of the first major side panel  201  is connected to the first major edge  245  of the second minor side panel  204  along the third corner  223 . The second major edges  208 ,  246  of the second major and minor side panels  202 ,  204  are connected along the fourth corner  224 . The first minor edge  213  of the first major side panel  201  is attached to a first minor edge  215  of the second major side panel  202  and the second minor edge  214  of the first major side panel  201  is attached to a second minor edge  216  of the second major side panel  202 . 
         [0085]    The pouch  112  further comprises first, second, third and fourth sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233  (schematically represented by the dotted lines and cross-hatching) extending along and located adjacent to the first, second, third and fourth corners  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  respectively. The first, second, third and fourth sealed sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233  are formed as relatively stiff (i.e. stiffer than a single layer of the laminate) seals between the side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 . Each of the first, second, third and fourth sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233  extend away from the respective corner  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  by a decreasing distance on either side of a central portion of the respective corner  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 . The term “central portion” refers to the area around midway between the minor edges  213 ,  214 ,  215 ,  216 ,  217 ,  218 ,  219 ,  220  of each of the side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 . Therefore, each of the sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233  may extend from the respective corner  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  in a substantially triangular shape, with the tip of the triangle being located in the central portion of the respective corner  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 . 
         [0086]    This profile has been found to be particularly effective in maintaining the pouch  112  in a suitable shape as it is rolled around the roller  114 . In particular, the profile prevents the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202  from expanding significantly, when filled with beverage and pressurised, such that the pouch  112  interferes with the side walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  of the container  10 . This is due to the first, second, third and fourth sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233  being widest in the regions of the side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204  where the greatest expansion of the side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204  would occur when the pouch  112  is filled with beverage. The wider parts prevent such a large expansion. The narrower ends of the first, second, third and fourth sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233  enable the pouch  112  to have a larger internal volume and thereby hold relatively more beverage. 
         [0087]    Each of the four corners  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  extend from a first end  235  at the bottom of the pouch to a second end  236  at the top of the pouch  112 . Each of the first, second, third and fourth sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233  increasingly extend away from the respective corner  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  towards the first end  235  such that these portions of each of the first, second, third and fourth sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233  comprise a “K” or triangular profile at the first end  235 , as is best illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The point of the triangle is coincident with each corner  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 . 
         [0088]    The first and third sealed regions  230 ,  232  start to increasingly extend away from the first and third corners  221 ,  223  towards the first end  235  closer to the first end  235  than the second and fourth sealed regions  231 ,  233  start to increasingly extend away from the second and fourth corners  222 ,  224  towards the first end  235 . Thus the triangular profile of the first and third sealed regions  230 ,  232  adjacent the first end  235  is smaller than the triangular profile of the second and fourth sealed regions  231 ,  233  adjacent the first end  235 . In particular, the angle of the triangular profile of the first and third sealed regions  230 ,  232  is around 45° and the triangular profile of the second and fourth sealed regions  231 ,  233  is at an angle of less than 45° to the second and fourth corners  222 ,  224 . 
         [0089]    This profile adjacent to the first end  235  has been found to assist in the start of the rolling of the pouch  112  around the roller  114 . When the pouch  112  is filled with beverage, the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202  bulge outwards and over the roller  114  and these bulges may prevent the roller  114  from initially rotating. By positioning the second major side panel  202  adjacent to the roller  114 , the larger triangular profiles of the second and fourth sealed regions  231 ,  233  create a “lead-in” for the roller by raising the bulge above the roller  114 . Therefore, the pressurising arrangement  110  will be able to initiate rolling of the roller  114  along the lead-in and thereby overcome the bulge in the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202 . 
         [0090]    A first end sealed region  240  is provided between, and adjacent to the first minor edges  213 ,  215  of, the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202 . The first end sealed region  240  extends between the first, second, third and fourth sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233 . 
         [0091]    An outlet portion  250  is provided at the second end  236  of the pouch  112 . A second end sealed region  241  is provided between, and adjacent to the second minor edges  214 ,  216  of, the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202  and extends from the first and second sealed regions  230 ,  231 . A third end sealed region  242  is also provided between the first major side panel  201  and second minor side panel  204  adjacent to the third sealed region  242 . A fourth end sealed region  243  is also provided between the second major side panel  201  and second minor side panel  204  adjacent to the fourth sealed region  243 . The outlet portion  250  further comprises an aperture  252 , forming the pouch outlet  113 , located between the second minor edges  214 ,  216  of the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202  and bounded by the second, third and fourth end sealed regions  241 ,  242 ,  243 . 
         [0092]    The outlet portion  250  further comprises protruding portions  260 ,  261 ,  262  of the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202  and second minor side panel  204 . As best shown in  FIG. 17 , each of the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202  and second minor side panel  204  comprise a substantially rectangular portion  263 ,  264 ,  265  and the protruding portions  260 ,  261 ,  262  extend from these rectangular portions  263 ,  264 ,  265  at the second end  236  of the pouch  112 . The aperture  252  preferably extends from the protruding portions  260 ,  261  at an angle of 45° to the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends  235 ,  236 . The outlet portion  250  is arranged to be connected to the outlet arrangement  101  of the beverage dispensing arrangement  100 . 
         [0093]    An adapter  270  or the like may be sealed to the aperture  252  in order to provide the connection therebetween. The adaptor  270  may comprise a conduit entering the internal volume of the pouch  112  and connection means for connecting the conduit to the outlet arrangement  101 . The adaptor  270  may be formed of the same material, but in a stiffened version, as the inner surface of the pouch  112  such that it can be welded thereto to form a water-tight seal. 
         [0094]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 14 to 17  a longitudinal seam  280  between free ends of the laminate is formed at the second sealed region  231 . However, the longitudinal seam  280  may be formed at any other suitable location in the pouch  112 .  FIG. 18  illustrates a further embodiment of a blank  290  for forming the pouch  112  of the present invention in which the longitudinal seam  291  is provided in the second major side panel  202 . The second major side panel  202  is formed of first and second parts  292 ,  293  with free ends  294 ,  295 . The free ends  294 ,  295  are sealed together, for example in a lap seal, in the assembled pouch  112 . In yet further embodiments the pouch  112  may be formed from separate sheets of laminate, each forming one of the major and minor side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204  and the seams therebetween are formed by the sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  240 ,  241 ,  242 ,  243 . 
         [0095]    Furthermore, the pouch  112  may comprise attachment means  300  for attaching the pouch  112  to the rest of the module  500 . In particular, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , a plurality of apertures  301 ,  302 ,  303  may be provided at the second end  236  of the pouch  112  for connecting the pouch  112  to the container  10  via, for example, the aforementioned dispensing mounts  39 ,  51 ,  62 , housings  30 ,  50 ,  60 ,  340  or walls  342 ,  343 . One aperture  301  may be provided in the corner of the third and fourth sealed regions  242 ,  243  and two apertures  302 ,  303  may be provided through the second end sealed region  241 . By supporting the pouch  112  at such positions, the outlet portion  250  is maintained in an open position such that it cannot be creased shut. Furthermore, the pouch  112  remains sufficiently taught during wrapping around the roller  114  that it empties efficiently during beverage dispensing. 
         [0096]    The sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  240 ,  241 ,  242 ,  243  are preferably, as illustrated, fin seals. The term “fin seal” is known in the art and refers to a seal in which the laminate is attached onto itself on the same surface. This is in contrast to a “lap seal”, in which the laminate is attached onto itself at an overlap such that opposing surfaces are attached to each other. However, it will be appreciated that in embodiments of the invention the sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  240 ,  241 ,  242 ,  243  may be lap seals. The sealed regions  230 ,  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  240 ,  241 ,  242 ,  243  may be formed by heat sealing and/or welding the laminate together. 
         [0097]    In the aforementioned embodiments the main body of the internal volume of the pouch  112  forms a generally rectangular cuboidal shape, predominantly due to the predominantly rectangular shape of the major and minor side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 . However, it will be understood that other shapes of the pouch  112  fall within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the pouch  112  may not comprise a second minor side panel  204  and the first and second major side panels  201 ,  202  may be sealed together directly along their second major edges  206 ,  208 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 20  illustrates a further embodiment of the pouch  112  wherein it comprises an internal gusset  266  attached within the pouch  112  to each of the major side panels  201 ,  202 . The internal gusset  266  is arranged to constrain the expansion of the areas of the major side panels  201 ,  202  adjacent to the internal gusset  266  to the width of the gusset  266 . The gusset  266  comprises a constraining sheet  267  with a plurality of holes  268  for allowing beverage to pass through it. The gusset  266  may be formed in an “s” shape, or a “u” shape, with the edge regions welded or adhered to the inner surfaces of the major side panels  201 ,  202 . 
         [0099]    Furthermore, when the pouch  112  is assembled, the third and fourth sealed regions  242 ,  243  may be folded towards the adaptor  270 . As a result, the outlet portion  250  remains open as the second minor side panel  204  provides a separation between the protruding portions  260 ,  261  through which beverage may pass. 
       The Outlet Arrangement 
       [0100]    An embodiment of the outlet arrangement  101  is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 21A, 21B, 22A and 22B . The outlet arrangement  101  comprises the outlet nozzle  102 , an intermediary adapter  131 , a valve arrangement  132  and a lever arrangement  133 . The outlet nozzle  102  comprises an outlet aperture  130  at one end of an internal passageway  134  and an inlet aperture  135  and nozzle inlet adapter  136  at the opposing end of the internal passageway  134 . The nozzle inlet adapter  136  comprises a hollow tube for mating to the intermediary adapter  131 . 
         [0101]    The outlet nozzle  102  is mounted on and projects from the first minor side wall  13  and is generally offset from the centre line parallel to the minor edges of the first minor side wall  13 . When the second end wall  16  stands on a surface, the outlet nozzle  102  is located in the upper half of the first minor side wall  13 . However, it will be appreciated that the module  500  may be adapted such that the outlet nozzle  102  is on any of the other side walls  11 ,  12 ,  14 . Although it is not essential that the outlet nozzle  102  be positioned in the upper half of the side walls  11 ,  13 ,  12 ,  14 , by locating the outlet nozzle  102  in that upper half, sufficient height is provided to allow a glass other drinks receptacle to be placed underneath the outlet nozzle  102  so that beverage can be dispensed directly into that drinks receptacle whilst it sits on a surface next to the container  10 . 
         [0102]    The intermediary adapter  131  is sealed and connected at a first outer connector  137  to the nozzle inlet adapter  136  and at a second outer connector  138  to the pouch outlet  113 . The first outer connector  137  may comprise a hollow tube which receives the hollow tube of the nozzle inlet adapter  136  and the second outer connector  138  may comprise a hollow tube inserted into connecting means of the pouch adaptor  270 . The intermediary adapter  131  further comprises first and second inner connectors  139 ,  140 , each in fluid communication with the first and second outer connectors  137 ,  138  respectively, in the form of hollow tubes extending towards one another. The intermediary adapter  131  also comprises a valve support wall  142  located underneath the valve arrangement  132 , which will be described in further detail hereinbelow. 
         [0103]    The valve arrangement  132  comprises a tube  141  and the dispensing valve  103  is disposed therein. The dispensing valve  103  may be a one-way or check valve, which only opens when actuated by the dispensing actuator  104 , and prevents the ingress of air into the reservoir  111  to prevent the beverage contained therein from deteriorating. Preferably the dispensing valve  103  is a duckbill valve  730  and the duckbill valve disclosed in UK Patent Application No. 1411147, which is incorporated herein by reference, is particularly suitable. In such an arrangement, illustrated in  FIGS. 22A and 22B , the tube  141  comprises a tube wall  712  forming an elongate passageway  713  having a first end  724  sealed to the first inner connector  139  and a second end  725  sealed to the second inner connector  140 . 
         [0104]    The dispensing conduit  106  therefore leads from the pouch outlet  113  to, in order of fluid flow during dispensing, the second outer connector  138 , the second inner connector  140 , the passageway  713 , the first inner connector  140 , the nozzle inlet adapter  136 , the internal passageway  134  and, finally, the outlet aperture  130 . 
         [0105]    The dispensing valve  103  is formed of the duckbill valve  730 , which comprises a mounting wall  731  attached to the inner surface of the tube wall  712 . First and second valve walls  732 ,  733  extend from the mounting wall  731  at first ends  734 ,  735  to second ends  736 ,  737 . The first and second valve walls  732 ,  733  are separated at their first ends  734 ,  735  by an opening  738  formed in the mounting wall  731 . The opening  738  is substantially in the shape of a rectangle with two opposing curved edges. As illustrated, the opening  738  is arranged such that there is a portion of the mounting wall  731  between the tube wall  712  and opening  738  (i.e. the tube wall  712  and opening  738  are separated). However, in other embodiments the curved edges of the opening  738  may be formed by the tube wall  712  itself. 
         [0106]    The first and second valve walls  732 ,  733  converge towards each other from the opening  738  at their first ends  734 ,  735  and contact each other at their second ends  736 ,  737 . Thus, when viewed in the third plane (i.e. longitudinal-transverse plane) as in  FIG. 22A , the inner surfaces  744 ,  745  of the first and second valve walls  732 ,  733  are at an angle of less than 180° to one another and thereby define a V-shape. The second ends  736 ,  737  define between valve tips  739 ,  740  a valve mouth  741  which, when closed, is in the form of an elongate and straight slit. When closed the valve mouth  741  is elongate along the lateral axis such that it extends orthogonal to the longitudinal axis  714  along which the tube  141  extends. The valve mouth  741  is resiliently biased to be substantially in the closed position, although the valve mouth  741  will not be sealed in such a position until an external pressure is applied to the first and second valve walls  732 ,  733 . When opened the valve mouth  741  is in the shape of an oval or vesica piscis (i.e. oval shaped with pointed ends). 
         [0107]    The outer edges of the first and second valve walls  732 ,  733 , i.e. the edges in the transverse direction, are attached to the tube wall  712 . Thus fluid can only pass through the valve mouth  741 . The largest inner and outer surfaces  744 ,  745 ,  746 ,  747  of the first and second valve walls  732 ,  733 , i.e. those which extend from the first ends  734 ,  735  to second ends  736 ,  737  between either side of the tube wall  712 , are each substantially flat and planar. The thicknesses of the first and second valve walls  732 ,  733  are substantially constant or reduce from the first ends  734 ,  735  to the second ends  736 ,  737 . 
         [0108]    The tube  141  and duckbill valve  730  are formed from a resilient (i.e. elastomeric) material such that, after being squeezed or otherwise manipulated, it will return to the aforementioned shape in which the valve mouth  741  is closed. Suitable materials include elastomeric polymers, rubbers, butyl rubber, silicone and thermoplastic elastomers. For example, if fluid of a relatively high pressure enters the tube  141  at the first end  724  it will open the valve mouth  741  provided that the fluid on the second end  725  of the tube  141  has a lower pressure. As soon as the pressure equalises at the first and second ends  724 ,  725  the valve mouth  741  will return to the closed position, although will not be sealed until the pressure at the first end  724  of the tube  141  is greater than the pressure at the second end  725  of the tube  141 . 
         [0109]    However, in the present invention the valve mouth  741  is openable by squeezing the outside of the tube  141  using the dispensing actuator  104 . In particular, the dispensing actuator  104  is operable to apply a compressive force along the lateral direction (i.e. in the plane along which the valve mouth  741  extends when closed) to open the valve mouth  741 . This is a result of the elastic deformation of the first and second valve walls  732 ,  733  urging the valve tips  739 ,  740  away from each other to compensate for the reduced lateral dimension of the duckbill valve  730 . 
         [0110]    The dispensing actuator  104  comprises the lever arrangement  133  and a dispensing lever  107  connected to the lever arrangement  133 . The dispensing lever  107  is provided outside of the container  10  for a user to actuate, whilst the lever arrangement  133  is provided within the container  10  for translating the actuation of the dispensing lever  107  into the opening of the dispensing valve  103 . 
         [0111]    The lever arrangement  133  comprises a substantially rectangular, ring-shaped, main body  145  extending from adjacent to the outlet nozzle  102  towards a pivot arm  146  substantially adjacent to the second inner and outer connectors  138 ,  140 . The pivot arm  146  extends from the main body  145  upwards and around the intermediary adapter  131  and valve arrangement  132  from one side of the ring of the main body  145  to the opposing side. The pivot arm  146  is attached to the container  10  such that it is pivotable about a pivot axis  147 . For example, a rod (not shown) may extend through a passageway in the pivot arm  146  and be inserted at either end into apertures in the first end cover  610 . 
         [0112]    The lever arrangement  133  further comprises a valve arm  148  extending from one side of the ring of the main body  145  to the opposing side and disposed over the dispensing valve  103 , particularly the valve mouth  741 , within the valve arrangement  132 . The valve support wall  142  is provided on the opposite side of the valve arrangement  132  to the valve arm  148 . The dispensing lever  107  is mounted to the main body  145  by being inserted into a slot  149  in the main body  145  adjacent to the outlet nozzle  102 . The valve arm  148  is located towards the dispensing lever  107  from the pivot arm  146 . 
         [0113]    The pressurising arrangement  110  pressurises the beverage against the dispensing valve  103  when it is closed. The dispensing actuator  104  is operable to dispense beverage from the valve mouth  741  such that the overpressure causes beverage to be ejected from the opening. In particular, when the dispensing lever  107  is pressed downwards, the main body  145  and valve arm  148  move downwards such that the lever arrangement  133  pivots about the pivot axis  147 . The valve arm  148  also thereby moves downwards and compresses the dispensing valve  103  against the valve support wall  142  such that the valve mouth  741  opens. 
       Assembly and Operation of Module 
       [0114]    During assembly of, for example, the sixth embodiment of the container  10 , the intermediary adapter  131 , lever arrangement  133  and valve arrangement  132  are connected to one another and attached to the first end cover  610 . The roller  114  and resilient bias means  115  are subsequently attached to one another and mounted to the first end cover  610 . The roller  114  and resilient bias means  115  are placed in a rig to extend the roller  114  to its fully extended position. The pouch  112  is filled with beverage and attached to the roller  114  at its lower end and to the first end cover  610  and its upper end. The container  10  is then constructed and mounted with the first end cover  610 , for example by wrapping the housing  601  around the pouch  112 , adhering the third minor housing panel  606  to the first minor housing panel  604 , and then moving the housing  601  upwards such that the protrusions  615  mount within the recesses  625 . The second end cover  611  is then mounted to the bottom of the housing  601  by fitting the protrusions  617  into the recesses  625 . Finally, the outlet nozzle  102  is attached to the lever arrangement and intermediary adapter  131  through the apertures  630 ,  631 . 
         [0115]    An initial seal may be provided in the outlet arrangement  101  for preventing fluid communication between the internal volume and atmosphere. For example, the initial seal may comprise a foil over the outlet  130  of the outlet nozzle  102 . The resilient bias means  115  applies an overpressure relative to atmosphere to the beverage within the pouch  112  by applying a torque to the roller  114 . The beverage extends from the internal volume of the pouch  112  (i.e. from between the side panels  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204 ), through the dispensing conduit  106  and to the dispensing valve  103 . The dispensing valve  103  and/or dispensing conduit  106  may be attached to the adapter  270  of the pouch  112 . The dispensing valve  103  is arranged to prevent beverage flow unless the dispensing actuator  104  is actuated and opens the dispensing valve  103 . 
         [0116]    Prior to dispensing, the user may remove the initial seal from the outlet arrangement  101 . To dispense the beverage from the module  500 , the user actuates the dispensing actuator  104 , for example by pressing down on a lever as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The dispensing actuator  104  is arranged to provide a compressive force against the duckbill valve such that the valve mouth opens. For example, the dispensing actuator is arranged to provide a compressive force directly in line with the valve tips and mouth such that the valve tips move apart. Beverage subsequently flows out of the dispensing valve  103  and out of an opening in the outlet arrangement  101 . 
         [0117]    As the beverage flows out of the pouch  112  the pressurising arrangement  110  rotates the roller  114  such that pouch  112  wraps around it. Therefore, the internal volume is reduced and an overpressure is maintained in the beverage relative to atmosphere. When the dispensing actuator  104  is released, the dispensing valve  103  closes and beverage no longer flows out of the pouch  112 . The beverage applies an opposing force against the torque provided by the resilient bias means  115  such that the roller  114  no longer rotates. 
         [0118]    Multiple dispense events may be required until substantially all of the beverage has been dispensed from the module  500 . When the internal volume is substantially empty the roller  114  will be located towards the outlet end of the container  10  and the pouch  112  will almost entirely be wrapped around the roller  114 . A user may subsequently disassemble the module  500  and the parts may be recycled.