Abstract:
A method for using internal container pressure to dispense fluid from the container is described. The method involves circumscribing an end of the container with a housing containing a valve. Thereafter, puncturing a region of the container en-closed by the housing such that the housing prevents pressure escaping from the container. Subsequently threading a conduit, having a first open end, a closed second end, and an intermediate region defining an aperture, through the housing so that the open end resides inside the container; and manipulating the valve so as to force the fluid through the aperture to the out-side of the collar.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit as a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/263,322 filed on Oct. 6, 2011, presently pending, which claimed priority as a nationalization of PCT Application PCT/US10/33093, filed on Apr. 30, 2010, currently expired, which turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/174,656 filed on May 1, 2009, currently expired. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a device and method for dispensing fluid, and in particular, the invention relates to a device and method for dispending fluid from a pressurized container without exposing the interior of the pressurized container to an outside atmosphere. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    Pressurized fluids, such as soda pop, beer, and CO 2  gas, are commonly sold in a variety of containers. Typical pressure range from about 20 psi to 60 psi. Standard pressurized container configurations in the beverage industry include two- and three-liter bottles. 
         [0006]    The drawback to these containers is that upon removal of the cap of the container, its entire contents are exposed to the atmosphere. Once the contents of the container are exposed to the ambient atmosphere, the fluid contained therein no longer has the same consistency as it did at the time the fluid was transferred into the container. 
         [0007]    An example of a pressurized fluid is beverage soda. Soda may be purchased in single serving containers or as contained within a 2-liter bottle. A container having multiple servings looses much of its carbonation when the bottle is opened, even before the first serving is dispensed. Even if the bottle cap is soon replaced, much of the carbonation is lost. Consequently, as the container is being emptied, the amount of carbonation, and consequently the appeal of the fluid, decreases dramatically. The end result of this process is that the final servings appeal only to those consumers with non-discerning tastes. 
         [0008]    The loss of carbonation prevents the use of multiple-serving containers in scenarios where consistency of dispensed product is required or by those users who do not plan to consume the entire contents in a short time frame. 
         [0009]    A need exists in the art for a method and device for dispensing fluid from a container of pressurized fluid wherein a single serving may be obtained from the container without exposing the remaining fluid to the ambient environment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An object of the invention is to provide a device and method for dispensing fluid from a pressurized container which overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide the means to facilitate opening of a container without exposure of the contents to an ambient atmosphere. A feature of the invention is the use of a sealed cap cutter to breach the top cap of a container. An advantage of the invention is that the device can be used to open bottles while maintaining the native fluid pressure of the contents of the bottle. 
         [0012]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing single servings from a container of pressurized fluid. A feature of the invention is that it contains a plunger and valve assembly. An advantage of the invention is that the device is capable of dispensing fluid while hermetically sealing the remaining fluid from the external environment. 
         [0013]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a means to remove fluid from a bottle while the bottle remains upright. A feature of the invention is that it utilizes a conduit, in slidable communication with the bottle, for transmittal of pressurized fluid. An advantage of the invention is that the device is capable of emptying pressurized liquid from all interior spaces of the bottle. 
         [0014]    Briefly, the invention provides a device for dispensing pressurized fluid from a container defining a neck and a cap, the device comprising: a collar adapted to be removably received by the neck; a housing in threadable communication with said collar; a plunger centrally positioned within said housing, wherein said plunger defines a longitudinally extending channel; a lever for raising and lowering the plunger; a conduit having a first end and a second end, said conduit in slidable communication with said channel, whereby the first end of said conduit is positioned inside the container, and a region of the conduit intermediate said first and second ends define an aperture positioned within the channel; and a fluid passage way defined by a depending surface of said plunger and the cap such that when said lever raises the plunger, fluid communication is established between the inside of the container and the exterior of the container. The invention also provides a method for using internal container pressure to dispense fluid from the container, the method comprising circumscribing an end of the container with a housing containing a valve; puncturing a region of the container enclosed by the housing such that the housing prevents pressure escaping from the container; threading a conduit (having a first open end, a closed second end, and an intermediate region defining an aperture), through the housing so that the open end resides inside the container; and manipulating the valve so as to force the fluid through the aperture to the outside of the collar. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]    Embodiments together with the above and other objects and advantages may best be understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts a cut-away view of an embodiment of the device mounted to a beverage bottle, in accordance with features of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  depicts another cut-away view of an embodiment of the device mounted to a beverage bottle, in accordance with features of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3A-C  depict a partially exploded view of an embodiment of a device for dispensing of pressurized fluid, in accordance with features of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of the device mounted to a beverage bottle, in accordance with features of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is another side view of an embodiment of the device mounted to a beverage bottle, in accordance with features of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  depicts a cut-away view of an embodiment of the device mounted to a beverage bottle, in accordance with features of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  depicts a cut-away view of an embodiment of the device mounted to a beverage bottle, in accordance with features of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 8A-B  depict a partially exploded view of an embodiment of a device for dispensing of pressurized fluid, in accordance with features of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 9 and 9B  depict a partially exploded view of an embodiment of a device for dispensing of pressurized fluid, in accordance with features of the present invention 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  depicts a partially exploded view of an embodiment of a device for dispensing of pressurized fluid, in accordance with features of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  depicts a mounting tool, in accordance with features of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Turning first to  FIG. 1 , depicted there is an elevational cut-away view of one embodiment of the instant invention. The invention comprises a generally elongated device  10  for dispensing pressurized fluid  8  from an interior space  13  of a bottle or container  12 . The device  10  is adapted to be received by the container  12  wherein the container  12  features a neck  14  defining a radially projecting ridge  16 . The interior space  13  of the container  12  is hermetically sealed from an atmosphere  62  external to the container  12  inasmuch as the neck  14  of the container  12  terminates in a sealed cap  18 . The external atmosphere  62  surrounds the container  12  and is designated on  FIG. 1  as an irregular dashed line surrounding the bottle. The fluid  8  contained by the container  12  is considered to be pressurized in that it is at a higher relative pressure than the surrounding atmosphere  62 . Examples of containers of pressurized fluid include a standard two-liter bottle of soda, a standard three-liter bottle of soda, a beer keg, and the like. In other embodiments, the device  10  provides additional means of removable attachment to kegs, cans, and other containers, not having a neck and associated neck ridge. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the device  10  comprises a collar  22  and a housing  40 . A distal or superior end of the housing terminates in a longitudinally-, axially-extending cavity  41 . The collar  22  and the housing  40  are removably applied to the container  12  in separate steps. The collar  22  serves as an anchor to which the housing attaches along the collar&#39;s periphery. The collar  22 , in one embodiment, features an opening to allow slidable installation on the bottle  12 , therefore, the collar features a ‘u-shaped’ design. 
         [0029]    The collar  22  defines an annular gorve  24  adapted to receive the container&#39;s  12  ridge  16 . The annular groove  24  contacts the container neck ridge  16  along substantially the circumferential periphery of the ridge  16 . The collar  22  remains in place upon mating with the neck ridge  16 . A peripheral, circumferentially-extending region of the collar  22  defines collar threads  26  which mate with a medially-directed surface of the housing  40  forming a frusto-conical cavity. 
         [0030]    The second component of one embodiment of the invention is the housing  40 . The housing  40  is designed to be removably received by the collar threads  26 . As noted supra, an interior surface of the housing  40  defines threads  42 . The threaded surface of the housing has a greater breadth than the region defining the hreaded periphery of the collar. This allows the depending end  41  of the housing to extend beyond the collar. 
         [0031]    A region of the housing  40  distal to its threaded end defines a longitudinally, distally-extending channel  46 . Slidably communicating with the longitudinally extending channel  46  is a conduit  50 . The conduit includes a first end (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a second end  54 . The second end  54  is unopened, in one embodiment and while first end is open. A region of the conduit disposed near its second end  54  defines an aperture  56 . The aperture  56  is positioned along the conduit  50  such that upon positioning of the conduit  50  into the channel  46 , second closed end  54  of the conduit  50  is located within a superior region of the channel  46 , and the aperture  56  is open into an area of the by channel residing at a midpoint within the housing coaxially positioned within the channel in a plunger  44 . The plunger  44  is in slidable communication with the channel. The plunger is rigidly mounted to a generally perpendicular arm  49  which is radially directed from the longitudinal axis of the plunger  44 . A midpoint of the arm  49  is pivotally mounted to the housing and terminates in a finger-pushed lever  48 . A force applied to a lever  48  results in upward movement of the plunger  44 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the conduit  50  first end extends into the bottle or container  12  wherein said bottle contains pressurized fluid  8 . When the cap is pierced, the pressurized fluid  8  travels through the conduit  50  and fills the area defined by the channel walls  60 . The fluid  8  remains encapsulated within the area defined by channels walls  60  until the plunger  44  is actuated upwardly so as to allow the pressurized fluid  8  to move beyond the area defined by channel walls  60 , through the fluid passageway  58 . Upon lifting of the plunger  44  through operation of the lever  48 , the fluid  8  contained by the chamber defined by channel walls  60  will exit toward the low pressure atmosphere  62  environment through the fluid passageway  58 . 
         [0033]    Further details of one embodiment of the invention are shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , lever  48  is actuated, with the arrows depicting subsequent fluid flow. 
         [0034]    As the housing  40  is mounted onto the corresponding collar, a cutter  80  breaches the top surface of the cap  18 . In one embodiment, the cutter  80  is a reinforced sharpened plastic cutter wherein the angle of cutter  80  cutting surface is between 20 to 90 degrees. The breaching of the surface does not result in exposure of the contents of the bottle to the external environment. This is due to the cutter  80 , axially positioned within the housing, being surrounded by cap seals  82 . In one embodiment, the cap seals  82  are o-rings. Consequently, the cap seals  82  form a seal around the cutter  80 . 
         [0035]    Upon breaching of the cap  18  with the cutter  80 , the opening in the cap  18  established between the interior of the container and the chamber formed by the channel walls  60 . Inasmuch as the plunger  44  is in a downward or closed position, the chamber is not exposed to any external atmosphere. 
         [0036]    The plunger  44  contains at least one seal  84  mounted about the periphery of the plunger. In one embodiment, one of the plunger seals is a cup seal wherein the cup seal prevents fluid flow at the bottom of the plunger. The cup seal is surrounded by o-ring seals. Consequently, the plunger  44  maintains a seal between the environment within the chamber formed by the channel walls  60  and the external atmosphere  62 . 
         [0037]    Upon medially directed movement (Force F in  FIG. 2 ) of the finger-pull surface  51 , the plunger  44  opens the chamber formed by the walls  60  to an external atmosphere  62 . In order to maintain the plunger in an upward position, force must be continuously applied to the surface  51 . Otherwise, the plunger  44  will descend back into a closed position due to the downward force applied by an opposing spring  86 . 
         [0038]    A superior region of the longitudinally extending channel  46  restricted down to the outside diameter (OD) of the conduit, and circumferentially lined with a seal  100 . This channel seal  100  prevents fluid or gas exchanges between the exterior of the conduit  50  and the longitudinally extending channel  46 . 
         [0039]    Prior to the cutting of the cap  18  with the cutter  80 , the conduit  50  is positioned so that its first end is above the cutter  80 . At this point, the conduit  50  is open to the external atmosphere  62  due to the aperture  56  remaining outside of the housing  40 . However, this aperture  56  is removably sealed with a sleeve  90  in slidable communication with the outside surface of the conduit. In one embodiment, the sealing means  90  is a bushing. The bushing  90  includes bushing seals  92  wherein the seals prevent an exchange of gas between the interior of the bushing  90  and an external atmosphere. 
         [0040]    Upon breaching of the cap  18  by the cutter  80 , the pressurized fluid can only move into the conduit  50  due to the bushing seals  92 , the cap seals  82 , and the plunger seals  84 . Consequently, the separation between the interior of the bottle and an external atmosphere is maintained. Once the cap  18  is opened, the conduit  50  extends through the cutter  80  into the bottle or container  12 . As the conduit  50  moves downwardly, the sealing means  90  moves with the conduit  50  so as to maintain closure over the aperture  56 . The bushing is finally received by the bushing channel  94 . As the bushing  90  enters the channel  94 , the bushing  90  can no longer move in concert with the conduit  50 . Instead, the bushing  94  remains stationary while the conduit continues to move into the longitudinally extending channel  46 . While the aperture  56  leaves the confines of the bushing, it is not exposed to the external atmosphere  62  inasmuch as the bushing seals  92  are in physical communication with channel seals  100 . Consequently, as the aperture  56  passes over the two seals  92 ,  100 , it is not open to the external atmosphere  62 . 
         [0041]    Upon passage of the second sealed end  54  into the bushing channel  94 , a conduit cap  96  is removably attached to the superior, or distal end of the longitudinally extending channel. The conduit cap  96  may contain an integral housing cap  98  which covers the open end of the housing. In other embodiments, the housing cap  98  is a separate cover. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3(A)  shows a detailed view of the housing cap  98 . The housing cap contains one or more threads  110  so at to be threadably received by the cavity  41 . As shown in the embodiment found in  FIG. 3(A) , the cutter  80  defines a separate assembly received into a proximal channel. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3(B)  shows a detailed view of the conduit  50 , including the first open end  52 . Additional housing seals  112  are disposed around the conduit  50  in some embodiments of the invention. Further details of one embodiment shown in  FIG. 3(B)  include the springs  86 , the plunger  44 , the bushing  90  and the aperture  56 . Finally, the conduit  50  is shown as having a second closed end  54 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3(C)  is designed to show the details of the seals used by one embodiment of the instant invention. There are bushing seals  92  and a set of plunger seals  84 .  FIG. 3(C)  also shows the lever  48  used to move the plunger  44 . 
         [0045]    Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIG. 4 . As shown therein, the embodiment includes a handle  120  attached to the device at handle mounting points  122 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  includes an upward lever  124 . As further described herein in conjunction with  FIG. 9 , he upward lever  124  interacts with a stopper  130 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the stopper  130  is a substantially circular shape having a first side  132  that is wider or contains additional material than a second side  134 . The device also includes an integral housing cover  128  disposed on top of the main body of the device. 
         [0046]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  further includes a series of groves  126  incorporated into the housing of the device. 
         [0047]    The embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 4  is depicted from another angle in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the handle  120  includes a handle hand receiver  136 . The handle hand receiver  136  is included so that the handle  120  may be gripped without the material of the handle contacting the carrier&#39;s hand. As extended, the hand receiver  136  is sufficiently separated from the integral housing cover  128  so that an adult hand may fit in the space between these two components. In one embodiment, this space is 3½ inches. Further, as is shown in  FIG. 5 , the handle mounting points  122  result in the handle  120  extending sufficiently away from the device such that the handle does not interfere with the movement of the stopper  130 . Finally, the handle  120  is designed to not contact either the spout  138  or the upward lever  124  during pivoting of said handle  120  around handle mounting points  122 . 
         [0048]    A cross-section of an embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 6 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the embodiment includes a integral housing cover  128  wherein the integral housing cover  128  includes a cover pusher appendage  140  extending from the inside of the housing cover  128 . Upon closing of the housing cover  128 , the pusher appendage  140  forces the flexible conduit  180  into a loaded position. The flexible conduit  180  is considered to be in the loaded position when the conduit aperture is within the boundary of the main chamber  152 . 
         [0049]    The embodiment further incorporates a cover bushing  142 . Said cover bushing receives the pusher appendage  140  and includes an enclosure  148  to receive the flexible conduit  180 . The cover bushing enclosure  148  is defined by interior of cover bushing  142  and cover bushing seals  144  located at either end of said enclosure  148 . One end of cover bushing  142  rests against integral housing cover  128  while cover bushing  142  opposite end terminates in cover bushing receiving seals  146 . The size of the cover bushing  142  enclosure  148  is approximately the same as the size of the main chamber  152 . Upon opening of the device, the main chamber  152  is in fluid communication with the interior of the spout  138 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the main chamber is defined by a plunger  150  and cover bushing receiving seals  146 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  further includes a bottle cap holder  154  designed to prevent lateral movement of the bottle on which the device is mounted on. 
         [0051]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , depicted therein is the upward lever  124 . Further visible in  FIG. 7  is the lockout pin  160 . The lockout pin  160  extends into a cap cutter base  162 . In turn a cap cutter  164  extends from the cap cutter base  162 . The lockout pin  160  and the cap cutter  164  extend in opposite directions from the plane formed by the cap cutter base  162 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 8A  depicts the details of the interaction of the housing cover  128  with the remaining elements of one embodiment of the device in an exploded view. The housing cover  128  incorporates a top surface  166  and a cover pusher appendage  140 . The cover pusher appendage  140  extends away from the top surface  166 . The cover pusher appendage  140  is removably received by the cover bushing  142  wherein the cover bushing incorporates two bushing groves  168 . The bushing groves  168  receive seals such that the interior surface of the cap bushing  142  may be removably sealed off from an external atmosphere. In order to ensure a seal, the cap bushing  142  includes a bushing ring seal  170 . A spring  172  is received beneath the cap bushing  142 . 
         [0053]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8A , the spring  172  surrounds the main housing  152 . The spring is received by the main housing exterior surface  178 . The spring rests against a main plunger surface  174 . Spring  172  rests against one side of the plunger surface  174 , while the plunger  150  rests against the opposing side. In turn, the main housing incorporates a seal  176 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 8B  depicts the elements of one embodiment of the invention starting with the main housing support plane on which the main housing seal  176  is placed. Said support plane includes a notch, not shown, to receive the lockout pin  160  of the cap cutter base  162 . The cap cutter base  162  includes two cap cutter seals  186 . The cap cutter seals  186  form a seal between the cap cutter base  162  and a cap holder base  188 . The cap holder base  188  incorporates two notches  189  which allow for assembly of the cap holder base  188  and the cap cutter base  162 . As fully assembled, the bottle cap holder base  188  is incorporated into a housing, not shown. The housing is in turn removably received on top of the bottle collar  190 . 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 8B , the flexible conduit  180  incorporates two ends. One end is closed with a conduit stopper  184 . The opposite end incorporates a conduit ring  182 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 9 and 9B  depict the details of the stopper  130  interaction with the upward lever  124 . The stopper  130  features a substantially round inner surface. Said inner surface includes grooves  199  for receiving stopper lock bolts  198 . The stopper lock bolts  198 , upon extending into stopper  130  grooves  199  prevent movement of the stopper  130  until additional force is applied. The lock bolts  198  are extended outwardly by springs  200 . Stopper  130  grooves  199  are present at two distinct locations along the inner diameter of the stopper  130 . First, one groove  199  is located at stopper first side  132 . Stopper first side  132  is wider than stopper second side  134 . Stopper  130  second side  134  also incorporates a groove  199 . 
         [0057]    Due to the interaction between the lock bolts  198  and the grooves  199 , the stopper  130  may move in any location, however in two locations the stopper  130  locks in place. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the wider first end  132  is locked in place in proximity to the upward lever  124 , the upward lever  124  is locked in place and cannot pivot on its pivot point  202 . Consequently, during contact of first end  132  with upward lever  124 , upward lever  124  cannot be articulated such that fluid will flow from spout  138 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  also shows the cutter lockout pin receiving aperature as defined by one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0060]    Turning now to  FIG. 10 , shown therein are the details of a spout plug  206 . Spout plug  206  is incorporated into the spout to prevent dripping at the conclusion of the dispensing cycle. Spout plug is received by a receiving aperture  210 . The plug consists of a closing ring  212  and a spring  208 . During flow of pressurized fluid, the fluid pushes against the ring  212  and against force of spring  208 . Upon the conclusion of flow of fluid, spring  208  moves the ring  206  up and closes the spout  138 . The plug  206  is received by the spout  138  in a removable segment defined by threading shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0061]    Finally, turning to  FIG. 11 , depicted therein is an assembly tool  220 . The assembly tool is designed to allow for combination of the bottle cap holder base  188 , as shown in  FIG. 8B  with the housing and other elements. As visible in  FIG. 8A , the bottle cap holder  154  incorporates notches  189 . The assembly tool  220  prongs  222  are spaced such that they are removably received by the notches. Radial movement of the assembly tool  220  allows for placement of the bottle cap holder base  188  within the device housing. Further, should the need arise, the assembly tool facilitates the removal of the base  188  from the housing. 
         [0062]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.